Starting Problem - Only will crank if I put 12V to the solinode? GOING CRAZY

[Peabody]

I do not know what to do. For the last few weeks about 25% of the time my 1990 s13 wound not crank and act like the battery was dead. I would try it a few times & then it would start and keep starting without any problems for a few days. They it would start acting up more often. Friday it would not start at all even with a jump. The only way was to push start it and then it was fine. We thought it was the starter and had it rebuilt but they said the solinode was bad and some minor things in the starter. Put the starter in and same thing would click when key was turned but would not crank unless I tried 15 times would start and then I tried again and it would not crank. We jumped the clutch safety switch to where you can start the car without having the clutch depressed and that did not help. This morning I bought a new Battery and same thing no crank just here a click when key is turned & would start after trying about 25 times. I had the idea of putting +12 volts to the solinode and it turned the starter every time I touched the wire to the 12 volts. I turned the key to the start position and then applied the 12 volts to the solinode and it started running with no problem. Now I can get it to start by giving the starter the 12 volts & it starts right up. Does this sound like the ignition switch? It is about $185 and I cannot return it if it does not correct my problem. Can I do any testing or jumping anything to pinpoint the problem?THANKS

[Peabody]

HI again, This is very odd. I checked the voltage on the plug that goes to the solinode and when I turn the key it around 12 volts only if it is disconnected from the solinode put when I connect it to the solinode it drops to 6 volts when I turn the key and won't start and I have to jump +12 from the battery for it to start.I am CLUELESS - ANYBODY

[RinseCycle]

if you're hearing a CLICK when you turn the IGN then chances are it isn't an ign problem, if that were the case you'd be dead untill you jiggled the key around for a bit, then it would make contact and turn the starter.

sounds to me like bad internals on the starter - what brand starter do you have on there, any ideas? there are a few after market brands sold in auto parts stores that have the life span of a dead horse.

what about the ground on the starter? is it properly/well grounded?

[tjmhillz]

check all grounds.. and make sure there clean and tight. also if u search theres a few threads about same situation.

[Peabody]

I do not know the brand of starter. I am the original owner and paid someone to replace it with a new one (over$300) in 1998.

I checked the 2 side connectors coming off the positive post and they were so dirty. Not like corrosion but like a muddy liquid. I cleaned then to the best I could, might get some brake cleaner to get deep down in the socket today. Anyway that seemed to help it start more often without putting +12 to the solinode. But then it starts to click again and will not start

When I check the voltage at the plug that goes into the solinode it is +12 with the key turned but if I check it connected inlkine to the solinode it is like 6 volts when the key is turned and will go up and down to 4volts after a few cranks and then raise slowly to a higher voltage +9 or +10 and then it will start without any clicks a few times and then the clicking starts. Something is causing that 12 volts to go down once it is plugged into the solinode.

I am so confused with that problem, Could that be a error in rebulding the starter? They just changed the solinode and some clips. My guy that rebuilds alternator/starter was out till Tuesday and my neighbor brought me to have the starter rebuilt from a old place that looked like it was the 1940's. I live in New Orleans so I do not know the history of the shop. He charged $85 cash only.

If something is bad inside the starter would it cause the voltage drop? But if that is the case it starts everytime with me just injecting +12 from the battery to the solinode without a voltage drop.

I am about to just bring it in because I am getting annoyed. Maybe I will try a new battery clamp. Mine is original from 1990.

I do not think I have any ground wire to the starter. My friend took the started off and it just had the main wire with the boot and the plug coming off the solinode. I will go under and look the starter & connections.

It is really acting the same as before I had the started rebuild & now have a new Battery. So really I did not accomplish anything.

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP

[gumby74]

Sounds like the solenoid itself is bad. A new or reman. starter will come with a new solenoid. By rebuilding the old starter you are avoiding the part that needs attention.Assuming all leads and wire are connected, that would be my guess. Besides thats what my starter began doing before it completely died.

[Peabody]

HI, The shop that rebuilt the starter put a new solinode on my old starter they said they rebuilt.THANKS, Michael

[Zippy69]

Have you contacted the shop that rebuilt your starter? Most places don't want bad blood so they should be glad to help you figure this out.But it still sounds like a bad solenoid to me.Good luck

[Peabody]

I bent this piece so that I cound put a socket on the nut and it was a little loose. I could turn it 3/4ths of a turn to tighten it. My friend that installed the starter could not get a socket on it and just used a wrench. Once I got it really tight it now starts every time and I have a constant +10 volts at the plug on the solinode where before it was around +5 and changed every time I would crank it & not start.

My friend is back in town and he told me he would have really rebuilt the starter for $45 (not just change parts until it worked). So buy going to this new shop I paid $85 and they just put a new solinode on it. I am going to still bring it to my friend and let him check it out and tell me if and what is wrong with it. Then I will bring it to the shop that charged $85 and tell them to please change out these parts and do a proper rebuild and not just but a solinode on it and give it to me. Maybe nothing is wrong and it just needed a solinode.

Thanks to everybody that responded.