Last try to solve this issue! ( So far 0 for 1000)

[tones2SS]

Glad to hear that the problem went away (HOPEFULLY).
Always seems to happen doesn't it. Everytime you're ready to diagnose the problem, the problem seems to disappear.
GOOD LUCK!

[slammed68]

the problem sounds like a voltage issue that isnt allowing the solinoid to engage. i had this problem with my 68... i could drive it 2 min to the gas station and it wouldnt start back up. the problem was the heat from the headers right next to the solinoid. im not sure if it was the heat increasing the resistance or not but i ran a ford solinoid inline to insure full voltage and it works like a champ.

[BC69]

Well.....its back!!!!!!!!!!!!


I took a couple days off for the long weekend and the gremlin is back. Before getting home, I actually had my mechanic take the car out a couple times this week to see if it would replicate, and it didn't! Just when I am in the car I guess.

First Time: I had the car out for maybe 1 hour, and stopped to wash it. It was sitting in the shade for 2 hours while I cleaned it. Got in, and it wouldn't start! All I did was get out and mess with the cables a bit (no tools with me to diagnose anything at that time). And it Started! Wierd!

Last night: I spent the day at Lime Rock park, about 2 hours away. The car was parked there all afternoon in the sun, but it started no problem when I went to leave. Drove the two hours home and parked it here for dinner. About 3 hours later, went back out to go for a spin...wouldn't start!

I put the battery charger on it for about 30 minutes, checked all the cable connections. This time none of that worked. I am at my moms and have no tools here. I have yet to go out this morning to check. I give it 50/50 it starts right now. If it doesn't, I will run to store to get a voltage meter and start some testing. But it is back!

I think we can say its not heat related, and its not a bad ground. The ground was taken care of a couple weeks ago when we redid all the connections.

So...more thoughts?

It was also my Birthday yesterday! It should not do that on my bday! haha.

Thanks

[BC69]

Well....I just walked outside this morning. Fired right up!!!!!

Last night, it had been sitting long enough that the exhaust manifolds were cool to the touch, so I don't get how the extra time over night to cool would change things. And now I can't diagnose anything either haha.

[tones2SS]

Happy belated birthday by the way.

[540]

I had a similar problem with my Impala spent days trying to figure it out alarm,battery, stater, was goin crazy. The car had a side post repair kit installed that when you moved things around a bit the car would start right up.

Loose connection. that is what this sounds like something that you have check many times but it is there. This is very hard to find becouse sometimes it all works good but hit a bump and there it does it again. Try to add a second ground to the motor also the starter might have a loose connection,sometimes you make the connections and then you install it and it loosens up becouse you moved it.
The fact that you move things around and sometimes it works it is the samething that happen to me. Next time just use a meter or test light to check wiring.

put a second wire going to the stater solenoid put a push start switch and next time it does not start see if by activating the second switch it turns over.

It could be you ingition switch.

Good luck.

[GregWeld]

My vote is the ignition switch...

[Novette_71]

I had the same thing years ago. Went to gas station or 7-11 to pick up some stuff, came out, engine wont crank.

Very frustrating. My problem was heat related and very obvious. When the engine is hot the piston rings close the gap, the compression is higher, my starter wouldnt be able to handle it.

You try a couple of times and because the amp drain is so high the battery was dead very quickly. If I just waited long enough (I mean looooong enough) the engine cooled down abit and I could start it up again.

Installed a new 150 bucks mini starter and never had a problem again. Another advantage is that even when your battery is low the ministarter can still crank it up because of the gear reduction, so with one like this you might even solve your prob even if it is NOT starter related.

[fasbird]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

My vote is the ignition switch...

Seems logical if all the stated connections have been checked. If a starter relay was installed a quick by-pass check can eliminate the ignition switch.

I feel your frustration, but as stated by many, you need to carry a few small (read: very small) tools around with you until you solve the problem. Not to sound goofy, but with all the aggrevation you have had, how hard is it to carry a test light, volt/ohm meter and a couple small screw drivers and wrenches for testing in the trunk or glovebox? Just thinking out loud.

Good luck in finding the solution!