Sometimes when I turn the key on the ignition in my '89 GTA, the car just clicks and doesn't turn at all until I give it a few tries then it fires up! Other times it will turn but real slowly! solutions anyone?

Thanks in advance!

L8R!

 

Possible failing starter / soleniod and or battery.

 

Theres a circit on the very bottom of your steering column and it's a pain in the *** to get to. You'll have to unbolt the column and drop it down. It's a pretty shitty job but can be done in a few hours but like i said you'll be breakin your back and wanting to kick your car. the parts only 20 or 30 bucks but when i had the ignition problem with mine (same as your having) that was the cause of it.

 

Thanks for the info guys! I was hoping it was something I could fix myself but turns out I can't b/c I'm more than sure I will end up breaking the damn thing I think Im gonna just take it to an auto electric shop! I would probably give the steering column solution a try if I had the space.

Thanks again!

L8R!

 

I was having the same problems with my 86 recently, until the starter just crapped out last Thurs. Luckily I was at home and could get a ride to work and not "out and about." I've got a new starter on order, should be here tomorrow, but I've got a question for all the electrical guys out there, how would I wire in a seperate starter solenoid? I've heard the stock ones can overheat because it's so close to the exhaust and give the car problems starting, which explains alot of my problem. I figured if I could wire in a secondary solenoid in a cooler location it should fix that problem. A diagram would be extremely helpful. Thanks in advance.

 

[quote=The_Phoenix;3465752]Thanks for the info guys! I was hoping it was something I could fix myself but turns out I can't b/c I'm more than sure I will end up breaking the damn thing I think Im gonna just take it to an auto electric shop! I would probably give the steering column solution a try if I had the space.

Thanks again!

You can tell if it is the ignition switch with a pretty easy test. If you're getting 12V to the distributor with ignition on, it ain't the switch in the steering column.

 

Excuse my ignorance but is there a specific way to test the 12v to the dizzy? If I had a haynes manual it would probably tell me how but I don't. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ruben

 

If you hear clicks, its most likely your starter solenoid, and if its turning over slowly when it finally does, its definately your starter.

Replace it, I bet you'll be fine after.

 

I just replaced my starter last week. It didn't do anything. No click, nothing. I knew my battery wasn't at fault because everything came on like it was supposed to, and a voltmeter told me the battery was good. Problem was in the bendix (SDK - Spelling Doesn't Kount) drive. The bushing caused it to lock up. Normally if you hear a click from the solenoid, it's not the solenoid. You have to be right next to the solenoid to hear it. If you do hear a click in the cab, it's probably the bendix trying to engage with the flywheel, but can't.

 

lol, well same thing, clicks + slow cranking = bad starter.

 

Yes, to test if you have power to the dizzy check it like this;

There is a 4 prong and 2 prong connector to the back of your dizzy (this is the ignition module).
The 2 prong connector is where the power comes from. The wire furthest from the center of the car (outboard) is the ignition power wire. (The inboard wire goes to the primary coil, I don't remember the colors of either).
Simply connect a voltmeter to the outboard wire in the 2 prong harness connector, turn the ignition on and check the reading. If you get anything less than battery voltage, your problem lies before that point. Meaning the switch or something else (fusible links, wiring, etc).
I always found this a great way to isolate half of the ignition system when narrowing things down. It could save you from having to mess with the steering column inards, LOL!

I agree with the other posts here, if the ignition was getting no power, it wouldn't really matter the starter clicking and then turning over. It wouldn't run regardless. Replace the starter first, then worry about the rest...

 

Right on! I'll get to testing the voltage on the dizzy tomorrow and post up on the results I get. As for the starter, I was thinking about this the last few days but theres a good chance that it could be the culprit b/c in that area by the header which is where its located, it gets really hot there (aside from other areas in the engine bay) and to my knowledge, heat not only robs hp but also can cause premature failure of other components in the engine (such as the starter) right?

Thanks,
L8R!