Starter Issue?

[lyonsfin]

I have a 74 1.8 which has been changed to dual webbers. I had begun to remove the motor and changed my mind so I began to re-connect shifter linkages, wires, etc. I went turned the key and nothing. Charged the battery and still nothing. When I turn the key to start the headlights go out. Next I checked connections and clean several (battery, starter, transaxle ground) I did get some sparking when I was wiring brushing the starter hot connection and accidently grounded the wire. Still nothing. Battery was registering 12.8 volts-thinking it is old and weak. I also used a jump pack, but it may not have been fully charged. Ideas?

[Dltjaden]

Make sure that the wire from the relay board to the starter solenoid is connected. This has a spade connector to the solenoid.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Keep checking the connections. Make sure they're all hooked up. 12.8V is a fully-charged battery, so that should be cool.

See if thumping the starter while someone turns the key helps. Make sure the car is out of gear, because you'll have important parts of yourself somewhere that can be run over. Which will not make your day.

You can also try shorting the spade terminal on the starter to the post that has the fat cable from the battery. People will often do this with a screwdriver that has a well insulated handle. Again, make sure that the car is out of gear. If the starter doesn't crank at that point, it is either dead, or the ground path is incomplete, or the cable from the battery (+) post to the starter isn't hooked up.

--DD