<VV> Bad sound when trying to start

[Larry Forman]

Hi Andy,
Here is a couple of thoughts:

Maybe the problem is just the starter solenoid disengaging and making a thunk as it returns?  Or is it MUCH louder than that?

You could simply swap out the solenoid and see how it reacts.  It is possible that the "contact button" inside the solenoid has become worn and intermittent and it not allowing the contacts to be made reliably for every start.  Then it cranks and suddenly stops with the starter thunking back into normal resting position.  Also, it could be an intermittent starter switch that is not allowing the starting signal to get to the starter/solenoid.  One way to check for this would be to clip a long clip lead to the lowest starter contact, the "S" contact, and route it into the engine compartment.  That way you could jumper the other end of the clip lead to the battery positive and see if it starts to crank right up.  Clip the unused end to an insulated terminal so it does not contact anything while cranking.  One HUGE caution is to have someone else in the driver's position while you do this, in case the engine starts and it is in gear.  This might prevent an accident through a run 
 away vehicle.  Best to be very safe when starting an engine when you are not in the driver's seat.

-- Larry
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kinzelman, Andy" <akinzelm@greatnortherncorp.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2004 13:03:33 -0500
To: <virtualvairs@corvair.org>
Subject: <VV> Bad sound when trying to start

> Guys,
> I drove my car almost 200 miles yesterday - it ran as good as usual.  Started & drove fine to work today.  
> However, when I tried to start it at lunch, it cranked OK, until it made a thunk/clunk sound  - then stopped cranking.  I tried it twice more; those times I could hear the solenoid kick in, then immediately 'thunk' again.
> I looked underneath (thinking the bellhousing bolts may have loosened up).  Everything looked normal.  There was no reasonable way to look at the starter mountin in the lot.
> I tried one last time.  This time it started up as it normally does.  I drove it home, parked it, & tried cranking again.  No problems.
> 
> Any guess as to what caused that problem?  It makes me leery to drive it any more without diagnosing it.
> Thanks,
> Andy K.
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