bargamon

hey y'all, its been a while and my little yellow sweetness has sat idle as I changed firms and for 30 days had no time to figure this one out.

My 74 narrow body with a 78 3.0 from an SC was working one day and the next just would not start after my wife finally took it for a solo drive.

It ain't her, the car powers up just fine but when I turn the ignition it just does on "click" then nothing. Not a "Dying" battery kind of thing. I tried jumping it to see if it was a low battery thing but its not. Tried the fuse box but saw nothing.

Since I was making a big career move and was really preoccupied I just left the *)^%%$$ thing and went about my biz. But she speaks to me now and wants to be driven.

Before I call a flat bed (AGAIN!!!!) I was wondering if there was that "DID YOU TRY>>>>>>>???????

Thanks in advance.

GothingNC

Could be the starter or the main ground connection near the tranny.

John

bargamon

Car had a total restore 9k miles ago, and as you can tell I did not do it.

Would starter just die out without a even a sound?

Im on the lose wire thing myself but have not gone to Porsche Camp so I don't know where to look. Im looking everywhere for the lose wire, to to no avail.

I found a missing fuse thingy. I made a seperate thread for that. Hey, I know thats not cool but I figure more eyeballs might save me a big ticket and a heap of time.

The yellow car, she speaks to me, she wants me to drive her. My mechanic, he speaks to me too. he wants me to pay him..........

mo_gearhead

Powers up Ok. So you have headlights, horn, etc.?

Turn on the headlights then try to start. Do lights go Dim? I was going to suggest a simple thing like removing the battery cables and cleaning the posts/connectons.

Is starter solenoid 'Clicking' when ignition switch is turned?

GothingNC

Starter can quit working just like any other electrical component.

Try hitting the starter with a hammer.

Small hammer, not a sledge hammer

John

bargamon

ahhhh, a "tech tap"?

Ok, this is gonna be sad, but I don't know where the starter is.

But you darn well know if I get a new one Im gonna!!!!

bargamon

New optima battery and the nicest terminals and wireing that would make you cry! Like I said, this car is like new in many respects.

I even gave it a boost in the event it was degrading.

The "Click" is the relay from the ignition. There is one right by the gas tank.

Jay H

I can't help much at this point since everything I can think of has been suggested.

However, that's one damn sweet '74! I love '74's...!

Oshin11

I would suggest a light spray of starter fluid in your intake. Then see if she fires up.

Amber Gramps

EDIT: Hold on now, this is an electrical issue not related to combustion. The starter won't spin. This happens alot in the summer for a different reason. How old is the starter? It really could be time for a new one. let's check for juice at the starter with a multi meter. Next, pull the starter out and hit it with a set of jumpers. if it spins then put it back in. if it doesn't try the hammer trick(softly). If that doesn't work buy a new one and put it in. If it does spin and spin well with the jumpers check the electrical on the car again. I was fooled by the starter on my Chevy recently when the old one wouldn't crank the motor over but would turn on the bench. I went out and got a new one that when tested did back flips and jumped off the bench. I bet it's new starter time.

Oshin11

On a side note, jebus Doug, 1700 posts in under a year......insane.

Amber Gramps

My shrink said it was rennlist or the nut house.

Cyberdennis

Try a push start just to see if the car will start at all. If you get her running you can move the car to a perhaps better place to check under the car.

Oshin11

Um if you read the Porsche manual it says specifically NOT to push start your car.

Cyberdennis

Uhm, IF you have a catalytic converter you don't want to risk accumulating unburnt fuel in your exhaust system, but since this car is a 74 I say: try to push start it.
If it starts, you have a problem with the starter, if not the problem is probably somewhere else.

I live in Europe so I don't have this "not to push start" in my manual .