starting problem

[H22_EXR]

yep another thread about car starting issues (these cars really are gettin old!)

-started my car this morning, no problems, and drove to school
-went back to my car about 3hrs later and it wouldn't start
-went back about 3 hrs after the first try just to test it out, and it started right away. didn't drive anywhere and shut the car off after about 10sec
-Another 4hrs later on my way home. Car started right away
-On my way home stopped at corner store. inside for 2mins. Went back to car and it wouldnt start.
- ended up walking the rest of the way home(15mins) came back about 3hrs later and car started right away.

Any ideas?

The car wouldn't turn over at all. It's getting fuel, I can hear the pump. I'm pretty sure it's not the main relay. Got a new battery in it as well.

My only guess at the time is a loose connection somewhere, but that wouldn't make complete sense IMO. Im also thinking it has something to do with the engine bay heat, but I have no clue what that would be.

Thanks for any useful input

Cheers

[CB7Man]

Is the starter spinning?
My starter is no good, it goes CLICK...but after enough clicks it spins

Now if its just turning over, but not starting then something is off.
It could be that 20yr old ignition coil, they are "Known" to go bad.
Mine hasnt

[MR.PHIL]

Clean and tightening your battery terminals,
get that Starter check out

[H22_EXR]

coil should be good, its an external accel coil. Plus the car isn't even attempting to turn over.

Battery terminals are clean.

Im leaning towards some starter problem. The weird thing though is that its not even attempting to turn over! will run a check on it as soon as I get some time.

On a side note, one of my mounts went today! I think it's time to get that coupe I always wanted and start fresh.

Thanks for the replies.

Any other thoughts out there?

[MR.PHIL]

you're having starter problem then.
time to start banging on it til it run out completely

try to have someone banging on the solenoid while you're turning it over .

[johnl]

First thought is that the ignition switch might be on the way out (failing to make the electrical contact required to operate the starter motor solenoid), second thought is that the starter motor solenoid might be suspect.

The starter motor assembly has two main parts, the motor itself and the solenoid, each looking basically like a cylinder. The solenoid is the smaller 'cylinder' behind the larger cylinder (the starter motor itself). The solenoid needs to work in order to engage the starter pinion with the flywheel ring gear (the teeth around the circumference of the flywheel, or the 'flex plate' on automatic cars), and the electrical contact required to turn the starter motor won't (can't) occur until the pinion is engaged by the solenoid (this contact occuring inside the solenoid after the pinion is engaged).

Assuming that the solenoid is the problem (and not the ignition switch), the path of least resistance is probably a SH starter motor assembly from a wrecking yard.

Your problem has nothing to do with the ignition system (i.e. coil etc).

[H22_EXR]

johnl and MR.PHIL thanks for the responses.

I'm definitely thinking it's the starter as well(or solenoid) it's the only thing that would make sense. I should have mentioned earlier that I also had some starting issues the past two winters. But this warm weather no start is something new.

Was just checking to see if maybe the problem could be somewhere else that I haven't thought of.

I think the solenoid can be repaired though? It just gets dirty sometimes. Could be wrong there, and only option would be to get a new one. As soon as I get some time I'm going to crack open the manual and see what it says about that.

Thanks again CB7 community

[wherm]

sounds like the infamous main relay problem to me.

EDIT: oops, missed the part where you thought it wasn't...besides, main relay problems don't stop your car from cranking, only from turning over.

[Losiracer2]

check your grounds, maybe one of them is loose or something on the starter, causing it to start sometimes and not other times.

[93Frost_cb7]

its not your starter. my car has had this same problem for about 2 years and i've replaced the starter twice. i'd say its the main relay. i've heard they're known to go bad.

tip: when it doesn't crank the first try, do not try again, take the key out and wait 5 - 10 minutes, try again and it should work. this doesn't always work though. (i've sat in the beaming sun in an open parkin lot for 45 minutes trying this and she finally cranked)