914 cranking problem

[radobard]

I have a 1970 914 that has problems cranking. When I turn the key the engine bumps but will not crank. I checked the power board and the following picture is what I saw. Would this be the cause of the no crank?

[Bubbling well]

What is the orange juice coming out of the relays?
That's bit too spooky.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

And what do you mean "bumps but won't crank"? Does the starter motor turn?

--DD

[GregAmy]

Is that the potting material melting and bubbling up...? Ain't supposed to be there...might want to look into a replacement relay/fusebox.

However, having just spent some time troubleshooting a starting issue, I suggest that's not the problem. The starter gets its power directly from the battery, the big wire. Per the wiring diagram, the solenoid actuation wire does not go through the engine compartment relay/fusebox, it comes directly from the ignition switch. So if what you mean by "bump does not crank" is that you hear it start to turn over but it doesn't, then I suggest that's either a flat battery or you've got a big positive wire or ground issue.

Try this test: disconnect the coil wire, put the car in neutral, and get underneath with a screwdriver with an insulated handle. Bridge the big starter wire terminal with the smaller solenoid wire terminal (toward the top). If the car cranks, your starter is good. If it does not crank, or does the same "bump", then check the battery condition (try a jump start), check the big red power wire to the battery and terminals on both ends, check the condition of the ground strap at the back end of the transaxle to the chassis above it, and the condition of the battery ground strap to the chassis. Until you get the starter turning properly with that screwdriver, no point in attacking any other issue.

If that works fine then you have an ignition switch-to-starter solenoid problem. Could be that wire, could be the switch (a common problem). Could be power to the switch.

[radobard]

Thanks, I will try all of the above.

[radobard]

What I mean by bump is that the starter tries to turn , then stops.

[GregAmy]

Originally Posted by radobard

What I mean by bump is that the starter tries to turn , then stops.

Any luck on this...?

I had another thought: have you tried to turn the engine over by hand, with a socket and breaker bar, to ensure it's free? Has the engine recently been run or at least turned over? I'm wondering if it's locked up/hydrolocked, rusted, etc.

[radobard]

The engine turns freely by hand. Recently I tried starting it and nothing happens. Lights appear on the dash but there is no sound when I turn the ignition switch, not even a click.

[911pcars]

In no particular order:

Discharged battery
Dirty/corroded battery connection(s)
Malfunctioning starter solenoid
Malfunctioning starter motor
Faulty ignition switch or circuit path to solenoid

If possible, try to bypass the ignition switch by momentarily connecting the yellow post wire on the solenoid to the large battery cable on the starter with a test lead. A suitable remote starter switch does the same thing from further distance. This should energize the solenoid and allow battery current to energize the motor. This assumes the battery is fully charged and there's a solid connection to the starter. If the starter motor cranks, the issue is in the control circuit. If the starter doesn't crank, it's either a faulty solenoid and/or motor.

If you're unable to perform this test, have your favorite repair shop diagnose and repair it.

Sherwood

[GregAmy]

Just curious...any results?