ignition problem

[greenwood]

every once in a while when i am running around town, i'll stop somewhere, get out and do my thing then when I get back in and try to start my car it won't even turn. before, it was happening seldomly enough that I didn't really worry about it but now it's getting pretty annoying.
Now, it never happens when the engine is cold...but only happens after i've been driving around(not every time, just occasionally). After it happens, it will only start after I let the car sit for 1-2 hours. what is it? sounds like a riddle doesn't it?
So my question is do it need to get a new ignition switch or a hot start relay kit?
TIA
jeremy

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/mult_starter_diag/mult_starter_diag.htm

[racejoe]

Hot start relay kit should fit the bill.

[BenI]

This happened to my dad's '74 914. We first added a hot start relay, then put in a new starter, then a new ignition switch, then cleaned the ground to the tranny, then cleaned the terminals to the starter power cord, then replaced the voltage regulator. After each fix (the replaced parts needed it) the car still wouldnt start or would hesitate to start after warming up. Any suggestions? Its no fun driving the car when you dont know if it will start again. Thanks

[racejoe]

When electrical stuff gets hot, it increases the resistance, requiring more juice. At the same time, when a battery gets hot, it puts out less juice. So either you have too much resistance, or too little juice. I would check the following...
Transmission ground strap, you cleaned it, it may need replacing if it is frayed or corroded.

Battery posts, clean them.

Battery cables, both + and -, If they look shabby, replace them both, not too expensive, be sure to replace with cbles that have the battery clmps already attached.

Battery, particularly if you store the car over winter, batteries just don't last long when they sit. Seems like 2-3 years eats em.

I am assuming that the problem is the starter not turning.

[John Rogers]

You might want to check the actual voltage at the starter terminal when cranking? If it is low (9 or 10 volts)a new battery cable might help if all the other things have been done (clean terminals, etc). I use 3 gauge wire and put my own ends on to minimize voltage drop.

[BenI]

Ive checked all the voltage drops and they are within reason-ie, at starter V is still around 11.5V when cranking. I havent been able to check tranny ground well as all I have is a multimeter and cant put a big enough current on it to accuratly test continuity. Thanks for the advice though, since Ive replaced everything else I suspect its a damaged or corroded cable.

[greenwood]

yeah the problem is that the starter won't crank.
My battery seems fine, I've checked most everything except the tranny ground. I haven't done the step by step thing in the tech article mainly because when it doesn't start I'm usually in a parking lot somewhere without my multimeter. I guess I'll have to put my meter in the trunk and wait.
When the ignition switch goes bad does it usually die all at once or does it sporadically work until it dies?

[greenwood]

ok now it seems I'm having this problem almost all the time. But I have discovered that if I contintue to push the key in while I turn it, it will start. I have a feeling that this is only a temperary fix sense the problem has gotten progressively worse.
Does this sound like the switch is bad or could it be the key tumbler is worn?
I don't know why this was only happening on a hot engine before. Maybe it's a combonation.

jeremy

[Jim Smolka]

My '75 had the same problem. Turn out to be the ignition switch. Like you, I never had a multimeter when I needed one.

What I did was carry about 5 feet of wire (12 or 10 gage)with a big alligator clip on one end and about a 1/4" of the insulation remove at the other end.

When it would not start, I would open the engine compartment. Then, at the relay board on the driver side engine compartment, I would carefully take the plastic top of the T-12 connector (closest one the the tranny) making sure that none of the wire ends jumped out of their sockets. With all the wire ends exposed, I looked for the big yellow wire.

Then I set the park brake and put the car in neutral and tried to start again. Of course, no luck... I would then leave the ignition on and connect the alligator clip end of the wire to the positive (+) battery lead. Being carefull not ground the other end of the wire to the car, I would walk around to the driver side of the car. I would touch the jumper wire to the large yellow wire end on the T-12 connector. If the car tried to start, I knew the problem was upstream of the T-12 connector (switch or seat belt safety relay etc). If not, downstream (starter, wire etc).

I hope that this helps...
and always, my $0.015 worth


------------------
Smoke Daddy