blackbeard
Active member
This has been a problem with my 1GM10 for the last several years.
It has never actually refused to start, sometimes has taken several attempts.
Once the engine turns over it starts readily (except when cold, in cold weather, but that's another story).
Symptoms: as described, on pressing the starter a "click" is heard, but engine does not turn over so no start. Also, on pressing starter, oil pressure and charge lights go dim.
I have:
Had the starter motor checked, was OK
replaced the solenoid. Problem cured! then after a while, returned.
Found the "ignition" switch was faulty, had resistance even when on, disassembled it, cleaned up, reassembled it (fun). Problem cured! then after a while, returned. Starter button seemed OK ie negligible resistance/volts drop across it when pushed.
Found one of the connectors (supposedly connect on engine installation, cannot then re-open) was apparently giving a poor contact; Opened it, adjusted (ie slightly bent to give a better contact) and re-assembled.
Problem cured! then after a while, returned.
Removed 30 A fuse, cleaned up, replaced. Problem cured! then after a while, returned. Replaced with a different fuse. Problem cured! then after a while, returned.
Cleaned up all battery and other high-current contacts. No effect.
Replaced a battery. No effect.
You get the idea.
I'm told the solenoid is a sensitive beast and, if excited with insufficient volts, is apt to not give a good contact afterwards even when sufficient volts are available, at least, not until several clicks have cleaned up the contacts. Thus, a problem elsewhere may be seen as a solenoid fault.
Investigations continue. Does seem to be a wiring/connector problem (or, I suspect, problems) somewhere, either in live or earth cct. But problem vanishes on approach of a multimeter.
It has never actually refused to start, sometimes has taken several attempts.
Once the engine turns over it starts readily (except when cold, in cold weather, but that's another story).
Symptoms: as described, on pressing the starter a "click" is heard, but engine does not turn over so no start. Also, on pressing starter, oil pressure and charge lights go dim.
I have:
Had the starter motor checked, was OK
replaced the solenoid. Problem cured! then after a while, returned.
Found the "ignition" switch was faulty, had resistance even when on, disassembled it, cleaned up, reassembled it (fun). Problem cured! then after a while, returned. Starter button seemed OK ie negligible resistance/volts drop across it when pushed.
Found one of the connectors (supposedly connect on engine installation, cannot then re-open) was apparently giving a poor contact; Opened it, adjusted (ie slightly bent to give a better contact) and re-assembled.
Problem cured! then after a while, returned.
Removed 30 A fuse, cleaned up, replaced. Problem cured! then after a while, returned. Replaced with a different fuse. Problem cured! then after a while, returned.
Cleaned up all battery and other high-current contacts. No effect.
Replaced a battery. No effect.
You get the idea.
I'm told the solenoid is a sensitive beast and, if excited with insufficient volts, is apt to not give a good contact afterwards even when sufficient volts are available, at least, not until several clicks have cleaned up the contacts. Thus, a problem elsewhere may be seen as a solenoid fault.
Investigations continue. Does seem to be a wiring/connector problem (or, I suspect, problems) somewhere, either in live or earth cct. But problem vanishes on approach of a multimeter.
