Went to start my '73 a couple of days ago and encountered the following problem, anyone have any suggestions before I ring the auto electrician I've used before. Opened the door and courtesy lights came on, turned key and dashboard lights came on, turned key to start car and nothing, absolutely nothing. I'm guessing a problem between the battery and the starter but being completely non-mechanically minded thought I would ask. Car was running and starting perfectly before this.
Starting issue
- Thread starter mickn
- Start date
Mr. Cricket
Committee Member
Auto or Manual?
If manual check the reverse gear lockout is fully engaged assuming '73's have it as mine is a '71 with it
If manual check the reverse gear lockout is fully engaged assuming '73's have it as mine is a '71 with it
Will try this tonight, hopefully a nice and inexpensive solution
Corvetteville
CCCUK Member
Could be a number of reasons as stated above. But I had the exact same scenario on my 78 auto, intermittently. Turned out to be a bad connection between the ignition key & the solenoid on the starter. Garage said it was in a block connector on the bulkhead, the wire was just touching & sometimes not. I also had the same on my Jeep Grand Cherokee, loose spade connector on the solenoid.
Thanks Nassau65, just tried it and the car started first turn of the key, how strange is that, how did you ever discover that? Thanks to everyone else btw for your replies.
Oneball
CCCUK Member
There is a neutral cut out switch that stops you starting in gear. Common still on autos.
Nassau65
CCCUK Member
Glad it worked. Can’t remember how I first done it, probably by accident.
Vetman
CCCUK Member
Interesting!
I sometimes get no reaction to the keyed start. My solutions include: shorting the starter power terminal to the solenoid terminal with a long screwdriver, big spark, then it starts; a tap on the starter motor with a hammer.
I believe my problem solutions cause the starter cog to retract from the flywheel ring. Perhaps I need a new motor/solenoid.
I sometimes get no reaction to the keyed start. My solutions include: shorting the starter power terminal to the solenoid terminal with a long screwdriver, big spark, then it starts; a tap on the starter motor with a hammer.
I believe my problem solutions cause the starter cog to retract from the flywheel ring. Perhaps I need a new motor/solenoid.
sublimemike
Well-known user
As Oneball says.. Neutral safety switch , had that myself