<VV> starting problems - click-click

Joel McGregor joelsplace at earthling.net
Wed Jan 18 19:33:29 EST 2012


I've had lots of trouble finding good solenoids and that is certainly sounds like the symptom you are having.  The click you hear is the solenoid moving.  
Things to think about;
1)  The solenoid may not have enough strength to compress the spring and move the gear on the shaft far enough
 because it isn't getting enough current due to bad wiring/connection or bad battery or a weak solenoid. You've already eliminated the starter trigger circuit and I would assume bad connections at the battery cables so this shouldn't be an issue.
2) The plunger in the solenoid has to travel far enough for the contact ring to connect and pass current to the starter motor.
3) The solenoid has to generate enough force to make the starter gear mesh with the ring gear before the contact ring fires up the starter.
4) If you get a good strong click and the starter doesn't turn it's most likely another bad solenoid.
5) Don't forget to check the heater duct for bare wires touching the solenoid terminals.
6) You could try removing the solenoid when it has the click symptom and manually move the plunger to see if it easily engages the ring gear all the way.
7)  The external solenoid is an old trick but I've never found it to be necessary.  Just fix whatever is wrong.
8)  An out of round ring gear can prevent the starter gear from travelling far enough to run the starter motor.
Joel McGregor
________________________________________
From: virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org [virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org] On Behalf Of Mark Durham [62vair at gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 3:38 PM
To: jeandelucca at aol.com; virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject: Re: <VV> starting problems - click-click

Jim, my 62 coupe did the same thing. I fixed the problem by adding the
clarks starter relay kit. The problem is in the aged wiring and
connections. The start circuit has to travel clear up to the ignition
switch and back. The kit rearranges the load so the high amps needed to
the starter solenoid go from the battery thru the new relay to the
starter solenoid, and the circuit that goes to the ignition switch is
converted to just actuating the new relay, much less load. My car
hasn't missed a start since.
Mark. Durham

Sent from my Windows Phone
From: jeandelucca at aol.com
Sent: 1/18/2012 13:06
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject: <VV> starting problems - click-click
my 63 monza 102/pg has a starting problem that has my mechanic and i
stumped a bit. what used to occur once every few months is now
occurring more regularly: when turning the key, just a "click-click".
turn the key back and forth a few times and it will start. the battery
is strong. we pulled the starter and checked it and replaced the
solenoid. reassembled everything and the problem returned. we
eliminated the ignition switch and neutral safety switch by jumping
various things(his tests). we now want to go back and recheck the
solenoid. i'd be interested to hear some responses to a solution, i
hope i have provided enough info, i should mention that it has been
getting colder here in the northeast, if that matters.  thanks, jim
 _______________________________________________
This message was sent by the VirtualVairs mailing list, all copyrights
are the property
of the writer, please attribute properly. For help, mailto:vv-help at corvair.org
This list sponsored by the Corvair Society of America, http://www.corvair.org/
Post messages to: VirtualVairs at corvair.org
Change your options: http://www.vv.corvair.org/mailman/options/virtualvairs
 _______________________________________________
 _______________________________________________
This message was sent by the VirtualVairs mailing list, all copyrights are the property
of the writer, please attribute properly. For help, mailto:vv-help at corvair.org
This list sponsored by the Corvair Society of America, http://www.corvair.org/
Post messages to: VirtualVairs at corvair.org
Change your options: http://www.vv.corvair.org/mailman/options/virtualvairs
 _______________________________________________


More information about the VirtualVairs mailing list