[Spridgets] turn the key, and - click!

Sat Sep 23 00:57:21 MDT 2017

The battery cables in our '76 were so badly corroded on the inside that the
negative terminal end of the cable twisted off in my hand while I was trying
to connect the new battery.  The cables looked good from the outside but
were gone on the inside.  While I was replacing the cables I also added a
direct secondary ground from the firewall attachment point to the upper
starter mounting bolt so I would have as short a path as possible.  This
cable is the same gauge as the battery to firewall cable.

Rich Ball

'76 Midget

Everett, WA

  _____  

From: Spridgets [mailto:spridgets-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Hal
Faulkner via Spridgets
Sent: Friday, September 22, 2017 4:16 PM
Cc: Spridgets
Subject: Re: [Spridgets] turn the key, and - click!

Years back, when I was living in a smallish college town I had a similar
problem with my 1962 Falcon.  Changed starters, cleaned contacts, connected
the jumper cables directly to the starter solenoid and a nearby ground.
Still would only click.  My mechanic told me to replace the battery cables
but I knew it couldn't be that 'cuz of the way I had jumped it.  Took the
new starter back and exchanged it. Still no joy.  Decided that it might be
reasonable to listen to the guy who made his living fixing cars and was
renowned for his honesty and quality of advice.  When my brother and I told
Ray how we had finally fixed the problem he looked at us and said, "Shoulda
listened to me the first time.  I bet both you guys have master's degrees."
What can I say? He was right and we always followed his advice after that. 

On Fri, Sep 22, 2017 at 10:50 AM, Steven Michelsen via Spridgets
<spridgets at autox.team.net> wrote:

Thanks to all for your suggestions.  Here is where I am at:

I confirmed (I hope) that the starter motor is not stuck, by putting the car
in 4th and pushing it backwards about 5 feet.  I could hear the engine
turning over as I pushed it.  I also turned the square bolt at the end of
the starter motor - it turned freely.

I cleaned the neg battery cable connection to the firewall.  The other three
- the pos and neg battery terminals, and the pos connection at the solenoid,
were looked at when I replaced the solenoid.  All is good there.

As fas as I know, I have a "regular" starter.  It is not original - dated
1997.

Still nothing but that CLICK.  

I will put the battery on a charger and try again tonight or tomorrow.  Any
further input/ideas/theories are greatly appreciated.

On Fri, Sep 22, 2017 at 01:31 PM, CosmicMag1380 wrote:

In addition to the other good advice, I would start by charging the new
battery first. You should charge a new one to capacity prior to "flashing"
it for the first time. All that means is start with a completely charged
battery before putting a heavy load on it. Since you have already cranked it
until it slowed down, it probably did not have a full charge right off the
shelf.

Also check to see if the starter pinion is stuck in the ring gear. It may
not have retracted after the final cranking attempt. That would cause a
clicking sound... Just put the car in neutral and turn the engine by hand to
see if it is stuck.

Kent

On Thu, Sep 21, 2017 at 11:12 PM, Steven Michelsen via Spridgets
<spridgets at autox.team.net> wrote:

It's been an awful long time since I've posted, and even longer since my
(formerly) reliable 1500 Midget has given me any trouble at all.  But now I
have a small challenge...

The other day I tried to start it for the first time in many months, using a
brand new battery.  First, it cranked and cranked, slowing down as it tried
to start.  Next time - nothing.  Just a solid CLICK.  I mistakenly took this
to mean that I needed a new solenoid, which I bought and installed.  That
wasn't the answer.  I turn the key and get a solid CLICK.  The battery is
still good - lights and such work fine.

My question is, what's the next step to diagnose this?

Thanks,
Steve
1978 Midget
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-- 

Kent

1960 Bugeye

1983 Garage full of spridget parts!

2010 Arrow shed full of excess spridget parts!!!

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