No power to starter from key? 1969 auto P6

H

heapy

Member
Hello. I was driving along, then all of a sudden the engine cuts out!
It now refuses to turn the engine over.
I have checked all fuses, and shorted the starter solenoid and the motor works and engages/turns engine over. But the fact it cut out says I have bigger problems
Could this be all down to the gearbox solenoid?
Car is 1969 P6 2000sc automatic.
Thanks.
 
Start at the Ignition switch check security of connections and whether there's power to and from it.
 
Ive just ,in the matter of weeks, just been through almost the same scenario as you.
In my case the would engine shutdown but it would restart intermittently on the key. Very scary when driving the motorway and she turns off.
After many dead end investigations , I ended up pulling the whole ignition/steering lock unit off the steering shaft.
Pulled [carefully] the ignition switch off and cleaned it up.
50 yrs of gunk was removed and then re lubed.
Replaced the unit onto the steering shaft and havnt had a problem since.
 

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It could well be the auto box interlock switch. Try moving the selector from park to neutral. If it starts then it’s certainly on its way out.

I don’t know where the switch is on these cars, but if you can find it try bridging the two wires and trying to start it. Be aware you can start it in gear if you do this!
 
A '69 car doesn't have the steering lock ignition switch, it's a separate switch, the auto gearbox interlock switch is part of the starter circuit it wouldn't kill the ignition, although the reverse circuit is fused ignition fed through it wouldn't kill the ignition either.
 
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The starter circuit has a relay in it but given the car died I'd check to see if youhave spark with the ignition on. If not I'd first check all your fuses are good then look at the plug in the floor on the right side footwell where the High current line runs through the floor. Make sure all the connections there are clean and tight. Then i'd head to the ign switch itself and check the wiring and see if you have the feed wire live. From what you've said if the issue is internal to the switch the feed will be 12v. If not then your issue is NOT the switch its in the wire. If it is live then the switch is probably where the issue is. You can check byrunning a light to earth, turning the switch and check each terminal. Or you could try shorting the infeed to the ign and starter but that is a bit risky...See how all that goes before dismantling the switch as per above. note that the start ignition wire is a different circuit to the run ignition wire
 
Hello. Thanks all for the replies. Turns out the car just died just for the hell of it, and the starter solenoid packed up at the same time! I've ordered a new solenoid, that's on its way to me and I'll be cleaning the ignition switch up and some other bits and pieces as advised just for good measure.
Thanks again. :)
 
Do check the starter relay for function. Its located on the right inner guard above the steering box. Note that its earth wire dissappears into the harness but pops out again a few inches to the rear of the relay where the is a ground point.
 
The earth for the starter relay is piggybacked on to the earth for the low brake warning light switch on the reservoir.
 
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