car won't start occasionally. please help
 

hi all,
my SC sometime won't start on occasion. The battery checked out fine by an AAA technician. I thought it was caused by the fuses (2 red and 1 yellow fuses) being a little wet of moisture (oil). I cleaned them up months ago and fabricated a small plate to protect the fuses from being exposed freely in the engine bay. That seemed to work for a few months(i drive my SC probably twice a month to visit my old parents). Anyhow i took it out today, everything worked great. stopped to get gas etc.. got home and started to clean up the garage. Then I was ready to pull the SC in. It would't start. I turned the switch, radio came up, dashboard lights lit up. Not sure if i heard the fuel pump going or not but the engine wouldn't turn. After trying to start the car and walking away from it a few times, the fifth time, it wouldn't turn and certainly it started fine.
What's wrong with my car? any suggestions as to how to diagnose it and resolve it?
Thank you so much in advance for your help.

Could be a number of things. I can't tell what year your SC is and there are very different systems in the SC's over the years.
Here are the basics:
Starter and it's solenoid, ignition switch, grounds, are the first thing I'd check.
Take a 2lb deadblow hammer and whack the starter a couple of times.
While you are under there take a look at the ground strap from the body to the starter, it is known to corrode.
Also check the wires on the starter are tight. You mentioned the rear fuses so if you are in the area check the 14 pin engine harness connector.

Just checked your garage.. '81?

yes Dennis. it is an 81 euro SC.
thank you for your advice. i will do those things in the next few days.

timmy is correct... the difference is you tried to start it after it was warm; starter solenoid will do this and is quite common in these. It will usually start again after a cool-down.

I had my starter fail when it got hot during a very long vacation drive. After sitting in my parents' garage for a week (we borrowed their car) it started fine and seemed good. I bought and installed the pelican hot-start kit, hopefully that will prevent future problems.

As noted earlier, this is not an uncommon temperature dependent issue.

my engine was pretty much cool down already when I tried to start it. I was able to check the rear fuses in the engine compartment and didn't notice the hot temperature of the engine. It was cool to the touch. Any how, I will try to check those things timmy advised me too. I read some blogs that people seemed to have similar problem as mine and the solution was to replace the starter. I will re-read the instructions from Wayne on how to install a high torque starter and maybe I will purchase it from pelican website and replace it myself. thanks

Engine bay fuse panel.......
 

Those rear engine panel fuses are not needed to start the SC engine. Those fuses are for the relays like motor engine heater blower, window defogger, wiper, etc. nothing related for making the engine start/run. The 14-pin connector does. Verify that you have consistent ignition spark by hooking an inductive timing light and crank the engine.

Tony

I experienced the exact symptom as you are having. Searched this forum and found a suggestion to lubricate the key slot in the ignition switch with WD40. Did that, and the problem was cured.

Regards,
mlfox