Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks
SHOP ONLINE | ONLINE CATALOG | ABOUT US
1965 Chevrolet C10 long bed step side pickup
starter intermittent
original wiring harness with various previous owner strangeness repaired over the years and at least two semi meltdowns I have repaired since I have owned it.
The issue:
Sometimes I hit the starter and it turns right over. Other times it goes to start, makes a slight sound and then, nothing.
Things I have checked or done.
replaced starter solenoid, but it was chattering... took the starter to an actual rebuild shop(didn't know any where still around, yay) and had them fix it/check it over.
I bought another ignition switch, switched over the lock, plugged it in, sometimes, same deal. So, maybe I have two wonky ignition switches, or it is something else.
Put the other switch back in.
Oh yes, I also wired up a momentary switch to the starter itself, so when this intermittent thing happens and it had no start, I hit the momentary switch and it turns right over. So, I don't think it is the starter itself.
I checked continuity from the plug on the back of the ignition switch, the purple wire to the firewall inside the cab. Then from the plug on the inside the engine compartment down to the starter(one of the newest parts of the wiring harness) and it is still good. Used a digital multi-meter to check continuity on the OHMs setting.
Could be some losing contact in the firewall plug maybe? Hmnn. No idea how to check that though.
So, I am leaning towards maybe a short on the side of the harness coming to the plug... or in the engine compartment coming to the firewall/fuse block.
Anyway, that is where I am now.
If anyone has any weird suggestion of things to check, try or troubleshoot, please let me know.
Thanks.
-Woogeroo
edit:
forgot to add, I cleaned the ends of both battery cables and mounting locations with electrical cleaner and wire metal brushes. Battery ground goes to passenger side frame rail, cleaned that bolt and mounting location as well.
There is also a battery cable ground on the other side of the engine from the engine to the frame rail.
Check the starter mounting to flywheel housing for clean contact surface in case someone got carried away with the painting. I have had this issue though not with the starter.
7472 old site post
Check the starter mounting to flywheel housing for clean contact surface in case someone got carried away with the painting. I have had this issue though not with the starter.
Good thinking. I cleaned all of that up with electrical cleaner/wire brushes too on both sides(block and starter) before I reinstalled the shop repaired starter.
Thanks for the reply.
-Woog
Hi Woog
I have had several starters that just go "click" intermittently.
An intermittent problem is hard to find, as you never know if the fix you tried was the right one or the problem just decided to intermittently go away when you tried the fix.
Anyway, in my case, the problem in most cases was with the brushes and/or commutator.
So, if nothing else works, try looking there.
PS
One of those starters was on a 1963 292 six.
Ole S Olson
Saskatoon, Sask, Canada
1946 DR 3/4 ton stake
1139 old site posts
It sounds to me like you may have a voltage drop between the ingnition switch and the starter, it may ok with an ohm meter but not good enough to carry the amps. Use your volt meter with on lead on the inviting switch and the lead on the starter solenoid, then try starting if you see more the .2 volts you have resistance in the circuit, the plug at the firewall may be your problem.
,
Latest Post: 1931 Sedan Accelerator Pedal Question Our newest member: Joe Eakins Recent Posts Unread Posts
