Intermittent Starter Gremlins - Advise Needed

[VinceJ]

Hi All;

I am cursed with an intermittent no start problem on my '87 Carrera. It occurs with apparent randomness averaging about once in every eight or so starts. The problem started this weekend on a trip. I hear only a faint "click", which I assume is the solenoid, when I turn the key. The starter doesn't spin at all. So far it's always started after a few minutes wait. As a relative beginner I have some questions. Here's what I figured out I should do from the Pelican tech article and the Rennlist archives, in the order I should probably do it:

1) Load test battery.
2) Clean battery contacts, emery paper all ground connections including the body connections (2 ?), engine connection and trannie connection.
3) Clean and emery paper all positive connections leading to the starter, and all wires connected to the starter and the solenoid.

Without the problem actively occurring, with the car not starting, what else can I test or check? I'm going to buy a multimeter tomorrow.

So my less than learned diagnosis is with these symptoms, after I do 1 through 3 above, if the problem continues I should check the solenoid first, the starter second and the ignition switch third. Is that right? Could this be anything else? Any guidance or advice will be greatly appreciated. TIA.

[Roland Kunz]

Hello

Seems that the starter is affectet to heat ?

Then I would advise to replace the complete starter by a rebuilt unit.

You also can buy the stuff and rebuild on your own but you have to know what you do and then you know who to blame

Grüsse

[VinceJ]

Thanks Roland, that's what I've decided to do. I've emory papered all the grounds and + contacts and the new starter goes in Monday. Thanks again.

[724doorE]

I had similar problems and discovered the ignition swithch was the problem. Check and clean the plug on the back of the switch, its cheap and easy.


good luck.