Can't start car

[dynamical-duck]

I could start my carbureted 914 perfectly well until last night, when it just wouldnt start after sitting for half a hour. It still won't start now. When I switch on the ignition, the starter refuses to crank (battery is charged). When I push start it, it fires up, then immediately stalls. Any ideas?

[bowlsby]

Starter solenoid is bad? The solenoid is supposed to activate the starter motor. If you dont hear the starter motor cranking that could be the cause.

[mike95125]

Not the starter if it dies uppon push starting. I would check the ground strap on the end of your tranny. If it is loose, corroded beyond all reason, or broke it will not start or keep running because that is the other end of the circuit for the engine (engine ground to chassy).
Just remove it and clean around it then reinstall.
HTH
Mike

[hargray2]

I agree with Mike. Check the transmission ground strap. It probably won't pass enough current to engage the starter. Your ignition system most likely relies on this ground also. The strap probably gets jiggled around a bit while pushing the car, allowing just enough continuity to fire the engine for a moment. Replace the strap, heck, put two on it!

[SGB]

coil?

maybe...there is more juice available when not turning the starter, but not enough to keep it running. I don't thik you are getting a hot spark, if any at all....

[galto]

I am thinking either an open or a short with the starting/ignition system.
Check:
1.) Starting/running relays
2.) Ground straps
(disconnect the bat. try it with a volt meter, should be a short)
2-a.) Check cable anyway...
3.) Short in starter, alternator, rectifier. Do you have a current meter attached to the car?
If it is sucking WAY to much current, you have a short.
4.) Are you getting gas to the carb, is the mixture right? Do you have any leaks?

I think that it is an issue with either a short or open in the starting system, but I have been wrong before.

There could be any nubmer of things that I just can't think of.
How long does it run before it dies?

[dynamical-duck]

My car has a weak battery combined with a badly corroded tranny ground strap. I put in a new Optima battery, and ordered a new ground strap.

However, the ground strap was so bad that the tranny end had disintegrated, and I can't figure out where it is supposed to mount on the tranny. Does anyone have any pics or directions?

The Optima battery's posts are too far back, and the neg. battery cable doesnt reach to the engine ground. I will get a longer cable, but while I am holding both grounds down, I can crank the starter, but it still won't fire.

The ground strap is VERY badly corroded, so that is probably the problem. If the new ground strap doesnt solve things, I'll go out and buy a voltmeter and look for shorts.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The strap is definitely going to cause that. Might not be the only cause, but it definitely will cause that sort of behavior.

It goes onto one of the studs that holds the rear cover onto the transmission.

I picked up a new ground cable from my FLAPS when I put the Optima into my car. No problems.

--DD

[dynamical-duck]

I'm probably missing something here, but what is a FLAPS?

[mike95125]

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