Robert,
Before you start checking for bad components;
First, check and clean all the ground wires. A bad ground is
usually to blame for intermittent starter problems. If the ground at
the firewall is rusty or loose, the solenoid will sometimes click and
the starter either will not turn or it will turn slowly. The ground
strap at the front of the engine (to the steering rack) and the strap
from the transmission to the car body must be in good shape and
making good contact for the starter to pull enough amps to work
properly. I install a 32 inch cable on all the Spridgets my family
(wife, son and daughter-in-law) drive when scooting the grand kids to
baseball practice and running errands. Rob's 74 and my wife's
Spridget were always a problem to start and would not charge properly
until I installed the extra cable (despite seemingly good factory
grounds).
I use a standard cable with single hole connectors at each end,
(available at any auto parts store). I install one end on the bolt
at the firewall where the battery is grounded to the body and the
other is on one of the studs of the thermostat housing. Rob's and my
wife's cars now start every time and charge properly.
There also could be corrosion on the terminals of the solenoid,
battery and/or starter. Disconnect the battery and clean all the
terminals and connections on the solenoid, battery and starter.
Kevin
On May 31, 2007, at 4:32 AM, Robert Weeks wrote:
> I used to know the answer to this question but my early onset case
> of duh disease must have wiped it from my memory banks.
>
> Lately when I get in the Midget I turn the key, gas pump starts
> pumping, continue turning to the start position and nothing. Do
> this a couple more times with the same result. After that turning
> the key a few more times to start gives me a click (solenoid) but
> nothing else. Being hard headed and reluctant to give up I turn the
> key a few more times and presto! we're good to go.
>
> Sounds to me like either the ignition switch or more likely the
> solenoid, but what do I know? I'm not ruling out the starter. I've
> got a good starter and solenoid off the '69 organ donor car but
> time being tight and all, I'd like to figure out the best plan of
> attack. If its the solenoid I can do that before I go to work. If
> its the starter that will need to wait until later and it will have
> to get in line in back of my oil cooler install. Might as well do
> the oil cooler and the starter together
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