I have been having this problem for a while. When I go to start the car sometimes all I hear is a click. I am wondering if this could be the starter solinoid. It only happens sometimes. I only take out the car once a week if the weather holds so it takes two or three cranks to start it. It may crank fine on the first attemp, the next time all I hear is a click. If I leave it for a few seconds then it will crank the third time. It happens when the car is cold and when it is hot. If it is the solinoid can they be rebuilt?.

Below is my car by the way. This thing has cost me a fortune.

Thanks.

 

Hi,

Car looks great- very knight riderish! I'm moving this thread to the tech board as you will probably get a better response there.

May be worth taking off the battery terminals first and greasing them up and re-tightening the terminals, quite often it can be a poor contact meaning the starter doesn't always get the required juice!

As for the solenoid- when it doesn't crank over- try hitting the starter with a broom handle or something long and hard, whilst trying. If it turns over then it is the solenoid. Would probably be better value to replace the whole starter with a recon one than mess about with the solenoid.

Hope this helps!

Felix

 

sounds like starter is hitting flywheel. mine did the same thing . i bought some starter shims and it solved the problem. have someone turn the engine over while you watch the starter to see if that is all it is.

 

Hoogabooga, excuse my ignorance but what are "Starter Shims"

 

I agree with ZZ24, sounds like either the solenoid is messed up or the starter itsself is locked up. I would also suggest just going out and buying the complete starter to have you the problems down the road.

 

they go between the block and starter to move it out a few thousandths of an inch. i would definetely get under the car and see if the starter is hitting the flywheel when it is turned over before i tried anything else. you will be able to see if that is the problom right away and it is a$2.00 fix.


https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...07#post2056707

 

I will take a look under it at the weekend and see what is revealed. If I need to get shims where would I order them from?. Because of my location all I can get for a thirdgen here is oil and a filter. I will have to order some from the US. If someone could post a link I would be grateful.

Thanks.

 

click click is textbook solenoid

try the battery cables first and then smack the starter, (that works on almost any car)

I'd lay money against the starter actually hitting anything.

 

gholian,

I've never heard of the shim thing, I would consider it but consider it last.

As for parts, I assume you're in S. Ireland? Do you get Classic American magazine? Look for Peter Cooper mail order and other suppliers in the back for reconditioned starters. £100 or so.

Let us know how you get on.

Felix

 

any car parts place should have them. any kind of shims will work if it is the problem. as far as considering it last why would you consider the most simple, cheapest, most common and easiest to diagnose last??

 

Hitting the solenoid with a broom stick is cheaper BTW that is a nasty avatar

 

Thanks guys for your input but as it happens the car started up fine at the weekend. I cranked it four times and no problem. I will try it again in a few days to see can I diagnose the problem.

 

The problem has already been diagnosed, either you have some resistance at your batt. connection or your solinoid is crapping out on you. Don't let it sit, at least clean the battery connections, reattatch dry, then seal 'em. If it occurs again soon after it's the solinoid.

 

The battery termimals are new and the cable to the starter and ground are also new. All were replaced less than a year ago. I have to wait for the problem to show itself before any diagnoses. There are two suggestions, is it shims or the starter itself?????

 

It's the reason a lot of people in the UK go through starter after starter.Real Steel keep the shims,and if you buy their catalogue,it has a section on how to shim it correctly.I had the exact same thing,and the bloke who had the car before me had a pile of reciepts for recon ones.Shimmed it and never had the problem again.I can't understand why a very important,but cheap,mod is overlooked.
BTW,this problem applies to all SBC blocks.

 

I have not had a problem with the car the last few times I started it but I would like to look into shims. Is there any website where I could see a picture of them.
I have looked on the web for" Real Steel". I see there is a company in Cowley, Middlesex. Is that them?.

 

Hi Gholian,
That is the same company.Give them a call and tell them the situation.I haven't dealt with them in a while as I get all of my stuff from the US now.When I did deal with them,they are one of the best for street/strip spares,because they actually build and race a lot of engines.I think the shims are literally a couple of quid.You could do with their catalogue (£5 or so),as it has a section on how to do it.Failing that,I've probably got an old one I may be able to scan and e-mail it.

 

try this gholian
http://www.carcraft.com/howto/2988/index3.html