Spun

OK, I have read through everything I can think of to get a head start on this tomorrow. Need a little help.

I have a fully charged batter, all lights, parts, radio, gadges, etc light up.

Parked it last night. Drove it all over CA the last 8 days. Got into it tonight to pull into the garage to fix shift issues and no crank.

I can hear a click only once when I turn the key and then no more click until I turn it off completely and turn again.

First thought was ignition key not turning far enough or something broken, but that does not really make sense...

If its a relay, I am not sure which one. I looked though the book and nothing for start.

Thinking about bypassing ignition to see if I can get it cranked, but want a few more thoughts before I do something stupid.

Any thoughts?

GlenL

The click is likely the solenoid firing. You need more power.

Thinking bad battery or bad connections. Try cleaning the connections right to the battery. Also try starting with a jump.

Spun

I went out and played some more. I can hear the relay click if I toy with the ignition - turn it all the way and just back off a little and turn again.

Just went out to try to jump it and no difference (same result and sounds).

I see that relay is the bridge (start) relay. I assume that is what I am hearing click be the fuse box...? Anything I can check to see if that is the case before I buy one?

Mrmerlin

did you clean the battery terminals and the ground connection point and test?
Then if no joy try connecting a battery jumper cable to the neg terminal of the battery,
and the other end to one of the shock tower bolts while leaving the car ground connected if this works then the ground cable is bad

Spun

Main ground point cleaning is in the cards today. I like this idea as well. I will work that tonight as well.

Funny that it got me exactly home and then stopped She took care of me for sure.

Spun

Will do, thank you

WallyP

Please follow these steps exactly as written, in order. If you don't find the problem, report, in detail, exactly what you did and what you found at each step in order.

1) Put the transmission into neutral if it is a five-speed. Repeat - if it is a five-speed, the transmission must be in neutral before you go any further!
2) Under the hood, find the fourteen-terminal near the jump start terminal. Find the medium-sized yellow wire in one corner - it may look tan or even light brown, but should be yellow.
3) Separate the connector, being very careful to keep the wires from coming out.
4) With the transmission in neutral, use a short piece of wire and connect the yellow wire going down to the starter to the jump start terminal. The starter should operate. If it operates, the battery, its connections, the starter solenoid, the starter, and the yellow wire from the connector to the starter are all OK. If it doesn't operate, the problem is one of those items.
5) If the starter operates, use a 12 volt test lamp to check for voltage on yellow wire on the other side of the connector when a helper turns the ignition switch to the start position. If the light does not glow brightly, the problem is between the ignition switch and the connector. Clean the connector and put it back together.
6) If the test light does not glow brightly at the connector, pull Relay XV, the start blocking relay. Using the diagram on the relay, locate the numbered terminals in the relay socket. Use a jumper to temporarily connect terminals 30 and 87 - the starter should operate. If it doesn't, the problem is between the relay socket and the connector. If the starter operates when the relay connections are jumpered, use a 12 volt test light to check for power on terminal 15 with the ignition switch on. If you have power on 15, check for ground on terminal 85. If all of that is OK, replace the relay.

Spun

Will do tonight. Thank you a ton.

Spun

This worked like a champ. Right off the start, the yellow wire turned the car over. I put that all back together tight, sat down and then the car fired up like it should have ??? I must have had a loose connection or questionable ground and it has been running / cranking like a champ.

I went and fixed the shift issue, turned out to be not adjusted right, the rear coupler was nearly new... now shifting good. Just need to add the big hose clamp in the front and this baby runs and drives great....


Thank you for all the help Gents!!!!

Mrmerlin

nice writeup Wally.

for the OP it may be a wise idea to fit a hot post cover as well as a stud cover.
clean the 14 pin connector pins with an eraser