Wierd, intermittent starting issue. 3B

[cuh8er]

I have a 1979 BJ40 with a 3B transplanted and occasionally I have dramas starting her.

Sometimes i'll turn the key and she'll pop first go. Awesome.

Other times, i'll turn the key and.... nothing.
I can hear the EDIC motor move, and that's all.

If I keep my hand on the key, sometimes it'll start a few seconds later, sometimes it wont.

One thing to note is it has an aftermarket ignition switch, dash mounted.

I am just wondering if there is any kind of sensor that prevents starting. Like the low oil pressure cut out switch or something? Or does the key directly drive the starter?

Thanks everyone.

 

[lostmarbles]

I have a 1979 BJ40 with a 3B transplanted and occasionally I have dramas starting her.

Sometimes i'll turn the key and she'll pop first go. Awesome.

Other times, i'll turn the key and.... nothing.
I can hear the EDIC motor move, and that's all.

If I keep my hand on the key, sometimes it'll start a few seconds later, sometimes it wont.

One thing to note is it has an aftermarket ignition switch, dash mounted.

I am just wondering if there is any kind of sensor that prevents starting. Like the low oil pressure cut out switch or something? Or does the key directly drive the starter?

Thanks everyone.

Hi cuh8er

Normally as soon as the key-switch reaches the "start" position it sends power to the start relay... which connects power to the starter solenoid .... which engages the starter drive cog with the flywheel ring-gear and then connects the power (coming through that big fat lead) to the starter motor.

There should be no sensors in the circuit.

What you describe is often caused by a worn starter solenoid that either won't pull-in properly or has damaged electrical contacts inside (that stop the power reaching the starter motor).

And this is why some people have to hit their starter motor with a hammer to get it to come-to-life in this situation.

 

[cuh8er]

Cheers Lost.
Not good, the starter is no more than a year old!
That's the other thing I forgot to mention, I can hear the starter relay/solenoid pull in. Maybe a dirty contact on the starter relay....?

 

[amaurer]

What you describe is often caused by a worn starter solenoid that either won't pull-in properly or has damaged electrical contacts inside (that stop the power reaching the starter motor).

And this is why some people have to hit their starter motor with a hammer to get it to come-to-life in this situation.

This.

Look no further.

 

[cruiserheads]

Start with the simple things. Clean your battery cables first (both ends). Check your chassis ground.

Neil.

 

[owenjam]

A bad ground caused problems with my transplanted 3B, (block to frame). I also had the entire starter rebuilt, everything but the head, at a local Armature shop. No problems since, good luck.

 

[jetswim]

Yeah make sure your battery(ies) are tightly connected. If not there might be enough juice to hear the starter solenoid move but not to turn the engine over. Just happened to me yesterday except I have a 24v (2 battery) system and one negative was loose so I wasn't getting enough juice to turn the engine over but could hear the solenoid move.
Ug! Still working out the bugs in this new to me cruiser.

 

[bigboss]

just cause the starter new or near new dont make it perfect i have fitted new starters and alternators in the workshop before that had hick ups after just a few thousand Ks id go with AMAURER on this one what it gonna hurt to check it before you go replacing parts for nothing