Odd Starting Problem

ProCharger GT · Apr 29, 2008

Just recently, my car has developed a very odd starting problem. I put the key in the ignition, I turn it one click - I hear the fuel pumps kick in, the gauges come on, battery gauge reads in the middle - I go to turn the car on, and nothing happens. I try for a min or two, still nothing. Eventually, almost like someone decided to plug something in, I'll go to turn the car on and it will fire up with no problem. I almost got stuck at work last night because of this, then I couldn't move the thing this morning and was late for work. Part of me thinks it is the starter, or the connection to the starter - but I don't see what waiting around and literally not doing anything would do to cause it to work. Anyone got ideas?

rabidscoobie · Apr 29, 2008

First thing I would do is check all battery,altenator and starter wires to make sure they are tight,sometimes a loose wire could cause it,but if I had to guess Id say prob starter solenoid.You could remove the starter and take it to an auto parts for testing.When you turn it over and there is nothing...do you even hear a click sound from under the hood?Do all your gauges go haywire when you turn the key and there is nothing?

ProCharger GT · Apr 29, 2008

Battery is a couple of months old, alternator is a week old. I don't even hear the starter click when I turn the key, so I'm assuming that is what the problem is. The gauges go haywire every once in a while when I put the key in the ignition and give it one click forward, the gauges will max out, then zero out, then go to their normal positions (fuel, battery, etc).

rabidscoobie · Apr 29, 2008

Hmmm,Ive had gauges do that before under 3 circumstances,Low battery,bad diode in the altenator,and a loose wire.Have they done that since the new altenator?If your not even hearing a click and the gauges stay normal then I would say solenoid,but pull it and have it tested at Autozone or somewhere similar.Just in case you dont know where the solenoid is....it rides piggy back on the starter.I dont know how some of the newer cars are but in the older ones when that would go out...you tap on the solenoid with a wrench or hammer and then try to start...had to do that before on my old camaro when it went out at the lake.

ProCharger GT · Apr 29, 2008

The alternator just came in from Powermaster and was tested prior to install, so I really don't think it's that. I might try replacing the battery first, as it is the easiest thing to do, and then work my way from there. If it was a loose wire, I would have expected it to happen when I first got the car back. I did notice that when the car is running, the battery gauge is more towards the right of the half way mark. It's just so odd that after a couple minutes of trying, it eventually works like there is no problem.

rabidscoobie · Apr 29, 2008

Everything sounds good,I really think its the solenoid....I could be wrong but thats what I think it is.I would have it tested first.

AdRock · Apr 29, 2008

ProCharger GT said:
Battery is a couple of months old, alternator is a week old. I don't even hear the starter click when I turn the key, so I'm assuming that is what the problem is. The gauges go haywire every once in a while when I put the key in the ignition and give it one click forward, the gauges will max out, then zero out, then go to their normal positions (fuel, battery, etc).

If the ghuages sweep like that it means that the ECU has lost battery power and been reset. Even though all that stuff is new, go through it, check and double check everything. Have the alternator tested again while on the car.

Most of the time when it's like a switch being turned on it's a bad cable connection. Make sure all connections are clean & tight. Corrosion in the connections will easily cause a problem like you describe.

blackink00 · Apr 29, 2008

its the solenoid in the starter. has to be since its intermitent. just go get a new one with a warrenty and throw that thing in. should start with no problem after that. im 95% sure that what it is

ProCharger GT · Apr 29, 2008

Checked the battery terminals last night, they are fine - no corrosion. I'm going the path of least resistance right now and starting with a new battery, and I'll move on from there. It's a pain to tear out the alternator w/ the blower and P-51 there, and I don't know how difficult a new starter would be.

rabidscoobie · Apr 29, 2008

No need to take out the alt.That can be tested on the car if you can get it there.The starter is only 3 bolts mounted under the passenger side bottom of motor.Disconeect battery remove 3 mounting bolts,then remove the wired connections.

ProCharger GT · Apr 29, 2008

Well that doesn't sound too horrifying....I'll post results later on.

rabidscoobie · Apr 29, 2008

ProCharger GT said:
Well that doesn't sound too horrifying....I'll post results later on.

Its not bad,the only thing thats kinda a PITA in the top bolt,plus I think its also a smaller socket size than the other 2,my gt was.

blackink00 · Apr 29, 2008

starter pretty easy to do. i think theyre all the same size and i believe theyre 10mm but the easiest way to get to them is get a long extension, like 2ft and go from the front of the engine thru the motor mount space. its a straight shot to get to the top two bolts on the starter. lemme know if you get stuck.

rabidscoobie · Apr 29, 2008

blackink00 said:
starter pretty easy to do. i think theyre all the same size and i believe theyre 10mm but the easiest way to get to them is get a long extension, like 2ft and go from the front of the engine thru the motor mount space. its a straight shot to get to the top two bolts on the starter. lemme know if you get stuck.

Thats exactly the way I did it too,but they were different sizes for some reason.the 2 bottoms were 12mm and the top was 10mm....

bhuff30 · Apr 29, 2008

I agree, it is most likely the starter solenoid. You should head a click when you turn the key.

blackink00 said:
its the solenoid in the starter. has to be since its intermitent. just go get a new one with a warrenty and throw that thing in. should start with no problem after that. im 95% sure that what it is

Wolvrin704 · Apr 30, 2008

Check your battery connection at the solenoid as well as the ignition wire. They could be corroded, I've had that problem on my F150.

ProCharger GT · Apr 30, 2008

Ran into an emergency at work, I'm gonna try and swap the battery on my lunch break this afternoon and see if it works.

JOSHCHAP12 · Apr 30, 2008

I had a 95 GT, 5 speed, with the same problem. I don't know if your car is a manual but I had a wire that hooks to the clutch safety switch (don't know the exact name) that had shorted out. If your car is a manual get in it and try pumping the clutch up and down several times with the key turned to start it. Just a suggestion.

danongentry · Apr 30, 2008

Gotta be the solenoid. Cheap $15 part, last time I bought one. Of course that was for a '69 and it was much easier to get to.

blkhorse · Apr 30, 2008

don't forget to check the clutch switch also,nuetral safety if an auto

Odd Starting Problem

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