start system issue - a tough one

stevevanderveer

stevevanderveer

Member
Well, I got no replies to my last post in elec. forum, but it doesn't matter at this point 'cuz I've got bigger problems. When I turn the key, I get a click from the relay but no joy from the starter. I've worked down the list of the most common faults, it's not the starter itself because it operates fine with full cranking power using a remote switch; and I had the battery tested and it is 100%. Wait, it gets more complicated. Several times I have connected my batter charger (on high) and the key WILL operate the starter - but only once or twice and if I come back in 5 minutes it will only click. And it didn't work today, either. Here's the thing, I found that I'm getting 12.7v on the solenoid trigger wire (from the 6RA relay) but only momentarily - i.e. while the key is being turned voltage at the trigger wire quickly drops to zero. I know it seems obvious to check the voltage there early on but I don't have assistants (i.e. wife or son to turn the key) around very often. Failure of the 6RA relay? Boy, they're not that cheap on Ebay. I have a spare U.S. made relay with three terminals labeled H, B and S - the 6RA has four, but one seems to be a ground - could I use that? Sorry, I'm a bit slow with electrics, but I'm hoping one of you might have the answer. Thanks for your time, Steve V
 
Oh, and I forgot to mention that this problem would happen periodically (every 10th turning of the key or so I would get a click and then it would start with the next turning) in the recent past. I put it down to a battery that didn't charge enough. Not the case.
 
Hi Steve,

Usually when you turn the key and all you hear is a click from the relay, the solenoid on the stater motor is the problem, in that it is sticking. Giving it a tap with a hammer will usually free it, turning the key again and the engine will start.

If there is a problem with your relay, then you need to be careful as there are many 6RA relays, and all different. The number of pins and the correct order of internal contacts, normally open and normally closed, all have to be exact else it won't work. If you look carefully at your 6RA, you'll see some additional numbers which are specific to each type. The numbers must match exactly.

Ron.
 
thanks Ron; but the solenoid must be good if the starter turns when the solenoid is jumped, no? Good to know about the relay - I did not realize that. best wishes, Steve
 
The solenois sticking is usually intermittent. I have had mine stick on occasions. Turning the ignition key and all I hear is a click from the 6RA. Give the solenoid a tap, turn the key and she fires into life.

The plunger just sometimes sticks hence the need to tap the outside of the solenoid case. It doesn't mean that the starter motor is defective. Given that you can hear the 6RA clicking when this happens, that suggests that it (the 6RA) is functioning as it should.

Next time it does it Steve, give the solenoid a tap with a hammer, nothing too hard, just gently, and then see if she starts. If so, you have found the cause.

Ron.
 
Ron, I don't think I'm making myself clear (cocktail hour here, don't you know) When I apply a 12v feed to the solenoid trigger terminal (via the remote starter switch) the solenoid is activated and the starter spins. This tells me the solenoid is perfectly OK, although I do hear you about the sticking prob., but I don't think that can be the issue. Or....? as always, Steve
 
Given the symptoms , it leaves a faulty or intermittent contact in the switch itself, or a bad dirty connection somewhere between the switch and the solenoid. I would check the connections on the rear of the start switch.
 
thank you Organ Doc. That was in the back of my head too, will check t-mow. Hey, we can't be all that far from each other! I'm 16 miles west of Boston. Steve
 
Steve, the fact that a remote starter works (how many times did you try this and did it always work? ) as you say suggests starter motor and solenoid is in rude health (rude means good - do you guys use that term?). My guess would be the ignition switch is next thing to focus on. They do seem to give problems sometimes. Can you rig up a known good switch across the ignition barrel contacts that fire the starter? Your remote starter switch may be suitable?
 
I appreciate the reply, JVY; yes, the remote starter hooked to the solenoid works every time. Will try what you suggested in the morning and report back...... ("rude" health - yeah, I think that's a fairly common expression hereabouts...)
 
I had this problem. Turin the key, click from the relay but no cranking. Turned out to be an intermittent contact on one of the lucar terminals on the relay. Probably the one that takes power to the solenoid as the relay clicked as it should. Try cleaning up the connectors onto the relay. I did this and haven't had any problems since.

Cheers,

Tom
 
Success! Did a quick clean of the relay contacts (didn't look bad at all and I didn't expect much) and lo and behold it cranks over on the key like nobody's business! Thank you Tom, Ron, JVY and Organ Doc. Now I have to deal with the other prob. described in my previous post "SS3AW" - ........
 
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