[cmartin]

This am I started the SC and it died, as usual of late, after 5-10 seconds. I tried the starter again and nothing. The fuel pump is whirling away, but nothing from the starter; no click, no slow start.

I jacked up the car and checked the starter and ground at the trans mount. Everything is tight. I measured battery voltage, 12.13v.

I then plugged in my battery charger and it fired right up. ~14.23v running w/ charger disconnected. It then started 3 times in a row w/o the charger. I want to test it in the am when it's cool before I consider it 'fixed'.

Any ideas?

[Trak Ratt]

Bad grounds.... it's always bad grounds. Try just cleaning the battery cable first then the starter ground and trans to chassis.

[William Miller]

Ditto, and while your checking both ends of the rear strap, check the big wire connection on the starter (Disconnect battery first!)

Bad or weak grounds cause intermittant problems with all kinds of stuff.

Was the starter turning, but no fire or was it not turning?

[Dr K]

Did you get a "click" when you turned the starter, or not even that? Could your battery just be dying? I've had the same problem rarely lately, replaced and cleaned the battery ground, and checked the tranny ground (looks good) and starter ground. Voltages similar to yours - a bit higher at rest, a bit lower when running.

Peter

[henrydbrown]

Chris,

I agree that it could be a bad battery and/or grounds. I know you know that a battery can read good voltage but have low amps... although I would think you'd get a click if that were the case. (How's your 3.6?) Hank

[cmartin]

although I would think you'd get a click if that were the case

That's what I thought too. I'll borrow a load tester and see what it shows.

How's your 3.6?

You mean that box of parts on the floor?

[Parenn911]

Do the head lights and turn signal/hazards work? How does the fuse panel look? How old are the relays? Ignition switch?

[cmartin]

Hey Pari

Lights work fine, including the hazards. Fuel pump relay is recent. I'll check the diagram again, but I dont think there is a relay in the starting circuit. I replaced the electrical half of the ignition switch last summer.

Of course, the car started perfectly a few times today.

[Cliff Claven]

bad or intermittent ground; will have more resistance when hot so might start better cold.

[Dr K]

Just to add 2 cents to my honing in on Chris' thread - my car just clicked at start today. I had forgotten my sports jacket and went in to get it. When I came out, it started fine!

Peter