6mil928

Well I got almost all my other issues worked out with my 1981 Ebay wonder car. Just when I could see light at the end of the tunnel I've got another problem. Last night when I went to leave work the car would not start. No cranking just dash lights and relay clicks. I figured it was the neutral safety lock out so I ran the shifter up and back several times. Nothing. Wiggled the ignition switch. Nothing. This went on for about 10-15 min and then it started. Drove it home no issues. Got in it this afternoon started fine. Got up town shut it off. Came out of Radio Shack(Buying a new fuse for the door locks) again car won't start. Did the whole shifter and ignition routine for about an hour till my wife got there for a ride back to the house. Nothing worked. Came back to Radio Shack with my truck hooked it up to the tow strap tried again still nothing. Towed it about 10 min trying the ignition several times along the way and the car finally started. Unhooked it drove it home. Stopped it in the driveway. Tried to start it again and nothing. Will not crank just like before. If you guys have any advice I sure would appreciate it. At this point I'm thinking starter relay, neutral safety switch, or starter. You guys always save the day so here's another opportunity to be a hero. I'm trying to get the bugs worked out of this so I can drive it down to 3rd coast in Nov. Thanks again, Jason

Charley B

It seems the only thing that changes between no-start and start is you moving around in the car. I would first make sure all of my connections are clean and tight. Not just grounds, since it sounds like an open circuit. You don't say what other circuits might be working when the starter isn't but that knowledge might help the sharper guys here narrow it down. At first blush it sounds like a loose connection. One side of the battery or the other. One side of the starter or the other. A major circuit relay. You might also try shorting the starter at the jump terminal. I think it's pin 14 but it's been a long time for my short memory.
There are also some good threads here for trouble shooting this problem.
It's a frustrating process but keep in mind it is more than likely a very simple fix.

6mil928

Sorry Charley I haven't been able to trouble shoot it yet since it made me late for work. When I get home tonight or tomorrow I'll try and gather some more info and post it. I just posted what I knew at the time. Jason

6mil928

I forgot to ask. Charley what circuits are you interested in knowing about? By the way my brother lives in Tracy and we grew up in Brentwood. Jason

6mil928

If you guys were trouble shooting this problem what steps would you take? Anyone able to give me a step by step? Any guidance on this is welcomed. Not sure where to start. Only thing I've done so far is the key wiggle in the ignition and the gear shifter in neutral start with no luck. Also swapped the starter relay XIV and nothing. Jason

Alan

Do the dash lights go out when you turn the key?

If no - swap the starter relay for the horn relay

If yes - clean the battery connections (both) and the ground strap to the ground point.

When you try to crank measure the voltage across the ground strap (battery post to ground point) - if you see more than a few mV when it doesn't start replace it.

Alan

6mil928

Alan just went out and checked. No the lights don't dim or go out when I turn the key. I swapped the relays and no change still won't start. Should I still check the ground voltage? Jason

Leon Speed

If you can reach the starter can you try to tap it gently a few times and see if it starts?

drnick

sounds exactly like the problem i was having with my 79. try pulling the connector block that sits under the positive terminal (the big one for jump starting) in the engine bay apart. squirt wd40 onto both sides of the block and look for obvious signs of corosion. one of the pins in the corner caries the current to the starter solenoid. after i did this my troublesome start went away.

Alan

I actually think its different.

First - you are sure you swapped the starer relay...?

It could be the ignition switch, best test is to use a jumper (very temporarily since it should crank as long as its installed). On the starter relay socket plug one end into 87 and the other into 30 - does the starter run?

make the jumper with 10-12AWG and 2 male 1/4" quick disconnect crimp terminals - any auto store will have them.

Alan

Stephencs601

Had the same exact problem with my 1984. The problem was the grounds. Check and clean all the grounds, especially the main one at the battery and the one from the frame to the engine on passenger side. Also, clean all the connections on the starter and lube them so the connection stays strong.

6mil928

I thought about tapping the starter also but I wan't dressed for crawing under the car. I'll try and work it tonight when I get home from work. I did swap the relays last night (horn & Starter). If you count from left to right on the top row of relays it was postion 5 & 7 I believe. I will say that my horn is not working also but I tried a couple spare relays that came with the car and none worked. If I remember correctly I could feel the relay clicking while I turned the ignition switch. I did look at the connector block last night and didn't see anything obviously wrong. There is a couple bad wires there that had been probed by the PO that look bad. I'm going to repair them whether they are the problem or not. I'll try the jumper tonight and let you know what happens. Thanks again for all the help. You guys are life savers. Jason

6mil928

Forgot to post that I cleaned all the ground points 2 weeks ago. That was the first thing I was told to do after I bought the car. Jason

6mil928

Alan just did it and the car starts perfectly when I turn the key. Where does that leave me? I'm going to look at the wiring diagram and see if I can figure it out till I hear from you. Thanks for getting me on the right track. Jason

drnick

alan, you are the guru of dodgy 928 electricals!!