Bill,
The fact that everything works fine when U press the button on the solenoid
isolates the problem to the starter button or its wiring, or the solenoid
itself.
When the problem next occurs, with the ignition off, touch a jumper from one
of the big terminals on the starter solenoid (the one which comes from the
battery, and is live all the time) to the small starter solenoid terminal
with the white and red wire.
If the starter turns the fault is in the starter button or its wiring, if it
doesn't the fault is the solenoid which you should change.
In the former case, where the starter does turn, check the white wire which
runs from the ignition switch to the start button and then the white and red
wire which runs from the start button to the starter solenoid. I find it is
often easiest to install a temporary wire with alligator clips to see if
things come right.
The starter buttons are pretty reliable and even when faulty wiggling the
button as you press it will usually make it work.
Michael Salter
www.precisionsportscar.com
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-healeys@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-healeys@autox.team.net] On
Behalf Of William Moyer
Sent: Sunday, May 15, 2005 10:20 AM
To: healeys@autox.team.net
Subject: starting problem
Well, now I've had two mechanics work on the intermittent start problem.
It's time for the list. The latest fellow installed a standard ignition
switch in the dash which takes the ignition key function out of the steering
wheel lock (Euro model BJ7). That didn't work as the same problem came up
yesterday after a short drive. This doesn't mean the old switch wasn't bad
as there could be more than one thing going on at the same time, but maybe
that's just my suspicious nature. Before I turn myself into a pretzel
working behind the dash I'd like to get some ideas about where to start.
Here's the problem. Turn the ignition on and fuel pump clicks. Press
button, nothing happens, no clicks, buzzes or whirls. Press the solenoid
starter button, it starts right up. One complication is that it doesn't
happen all the time but so far it hasn't happened from a cold start.
It's not the distributor ground, fuses, battery switch or terminals I'm
pretty sure as I've checked those. I'm hoping that it's the starter button
on the dash but I can't find that on my wiring diagrams. The ignition
switch is there, but no separate button.
Is there some way to test the button without having to take out gauges to
get to it? What wires go to the button? Can I assume that it completes the
white/red circuit to the starter solenoid? How can I get at the connection
to the solenoid? It looks way back in there from the engine bay
perspective.
I'd like to get an idea before I crawl under the dash. It's been a decade
since I rewired the dash, I don't have happy or specific memories of the
process and I'm a good deal larger and less flexible than I was then.
Any guidance as to how to check the steering wheel lock switch with a
volt/ohm meter? It looks from the diagram that when the key is turned on
the connection should be made between contacts 2 and 3 on the wiring
diagram. If that switch isn't bad, I'd like to wire it back into the system
but I'm not sure where the wires should go as that switch isn't on the
wiring diagram.
Thanks,
Bill Moyer
|