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troubleshooting starting circuit 200 1983

Fellas:
Not much of an electrical troubleshooter here. Anyway, how do I check if I'm getting power to the starter. When I turn the ignition switch to start, I hear a faint click from like a relay, and that's about it. I know for sure that the battery is good (brand new). What else is there to check such as relays and stuff? Thanks in advance for any info.
Denny








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troubleshooting starting circuit 200 1983

If this is an automatic, be sure the shifter is in neutral or park. If you jiggle the shift, does that have any effect (neutral safety switch)? Is the clicking coming from inside the passenger compartment (relay) or the engine compartment (feeble power at the solenoid)? There is a connector at the firewall above the dipstick that allows a jumper wire from the battery + to turn the starter without the ignition being activated ("B" in the wire diagram) to test that part. Good luck, I'm having solenoid issues, too ...
--
'81 GLT 245 W/245K; '83 DL 175K








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troubleshooting starting circuit 200 1983

Oops! Sorry about not having the info. It is a manual tranny and the clicking sound is inside the pax compartment. The car is syill in the garage. I probably wot't get to do anything to it 'til the weekend. Thanks for the reply.








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troubleshooting starting circuit 200 1983

Also, make sure ( check/clean) that you are getting a good ground connection from the battery to the frame, and from the frame to the engine. Anytime you are removing the positive battery connections, or starter/alternator connections, remove the negative battery cable first and replace it last. Helps to prevent fried electrical components. Good luck!
--
'94 940 150k, '86 240 170k, '72 142 KIA, '70 144 KIA, '69 144 RIP








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troubleshooting starting circuit 200 1983









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troubleshooting starting circuit 200 1983

When you turn the key to start, the solenoid/relay on the starter is energized. This does 2 things, it closes 2 contsacts which apply battery power directly to the starter (this is the heavy, thick wire you see running from the battery down to the starter) and it shoves the starter into the flywheel to engage the ring gear teeth.
Where that heavy gauge wire from the battery connects to the starter is the solenoid, off the other contact you will see a heavy wire going ino the starter motor.
First make sure that solenoid is closing. a loud click is a good indication.
If you connect a volt meter to the terminals of the solenoid and turn on the key you can check if you are getting full voltage (at least 10) at that point.
I suspect you have a bad connection in that heavy cable. I would take it off at the battery and clean it with baking soda, make sure if the cable uses a clamp to hold the wire that you clean that too, if it looks corroded it may be best to purchase a new cable.
You should also check where the cable connects to the solenoid and make sure that is not corroded. Some fine sandpaper will shine up the terminals, and the stuff they give you for new batteries should keep it from corroding.
The last possibility is the solenoid itself could be bad.
To know for sure you have to use the voltmeter to check the starter side of the solenoid, it should have the same voltage as the battery side.

Have at it!
--
745-4+OD-16v, 744-4+OD-16v, 245SE auto, 242 4+OD Turbo







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