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Turn key, sometimes no start, sometimes start.

mfgguru

mfgguru

Makin' it better!
Messages
359
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Location
Winkler, MB, Canada
Well, it hasn't left me anywhere yet, but I suspect my ignition switch is gone. Every now and then, I turn the key and cycle glows, and nothing happens. Wait ten minutes or fifeteen, try again and it cranks and starts. Any ideas? Is it the ignition key tumbler, or the ignition switch in the steering column?

Thanks,
Mike
 
Just for grins, next time it happens run the gear selector to low and back to park and try it again. Then with your foot on the brake (just in case) try it in neutral.
 
JeffMD said:
Just for grins, next time it happens run the gear selector to low and back to park and try it again. Then with your foot on the brake (just in case) try it in neutral.
Click to expand...

Good idea. I have played with the selector, but not in neutral. When I mean no crank, I mean nothing happens, no click, nothing. Would the starter do that? I was told it was cranking a bit slower than it sould.
 
Hey Mike, why not try tapping the starter or solenoid when it acts up?

Ya know if it was me, I'd pull the starter and check the brushes and the brush holder out. While there, replace the solenoid. With the winters as they are, why not make sure the starter is as good as it gets.
If you need a helping hand, let me know.
 
Dieseldad97 said:
Hey Mike, why not try tapping the starter or solenoid when it acts up?

Ya know if it was me, I'd pull the starter and check the brushes and the brush holder out. While there, replace the solenoid. With the winters as they are, why not make sure the starter is as good as it gets.
If you need a helping hand, let me know.
Click to expand...

Thanks Gerald, that is kinda what I was thinking. I will see how much it is to get rebuilt first before I start fiddling. We shall see what tomorrow brings.:thumbsup:
 
I had my starter out a few years back and went to Winkler "start & charge" for parts. I should have replaced the solenoid while I was at it. I also have the no start on some cold winter days. Nice.

One of these days she's getting a new solenoid.
 
NSBU=Neatral safety back-up switch. It's the black switch on the gear selectro shaft at the tranny with 2 plugs on it. A bad solonoid can also cause this as well as a failing starter.
 
I think he means the one on the starter. The ones in the fuse block are relays, solenoids are heavy duty, relays are light duty, simply put.
 
I have a simple mind, Mike (no wisecracks) so I like simple things. Start with connections - Battery posts can do this, too. Then work your way around to the starter, clean everything you can find. Check the cables for 'crinkly' spots (you can feel/hear it when you bend the cable).

When mine did that, I bypassed things and ran a cable to the starter. If THAT had worked, it would have told me it was something in the secondary circuit... but it didn't work, either. Turned out to need a new solenoid.

As Sherlock Holmes would say, "When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."

Jim
 
mfgguru said:
Good idea. I have played with the selector, but not in neutral. When I mean no crank, I mean nothing happens, no click, nothing. Would the starter do that? I was told it was cranking a bit slower than it sould.
Click to expand...

No click, no dimming lights no nothing makes me think we are talking a switch issue like the ingition switch itself or the neutral safety switch. Checks regarding the cables would be voltage at the positive cable where it connects with the starter, and when cranking voltage between the engine block and the negative terminal of the battery. I think you want minimum 9.5 volts at the starter while cranking ( may well be wrong on that) and no more than 0.5 volts between block and negative battery terminal.
 
Can anyone tell me or give me a link to finding the ignition switch and maybe explain the difference between the key switch and ignition switch.

I certainly don't want to just throw parts at the problem. Thanks for the input guys!
 
ignition switch is located along the steering collum,activated by a rod from the key switch,mebby shake the harnass with key in start,if it lits of you know where the problem is
 
Well, had a break through today. After work it wouldn't go, so I got my friend to hold the key in the start position while I gave the starter a tap with a BFH(not really, just like the sound of it):h just a hammer, and it turned over right away, with the result of sparks coming out of the front of the starter. Time for new or rebuild. Feels good to have it narrowed down.

Mike
 
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