AMC Eagle Den Forum

The Shop => Question and Answer => Topic started by: Petr on April 15, 2011, 01:47:19 PM

Title: Starting problems
Post by: Petr on April 15, 2011, 01:47:19 PM
Today I started engine without problem, went by car round my neigboroughood. Than stopped and cleaned her because tomorrow´s show. OOp, couldn´t start engine. Battery is O.K., starter didn´t run and I´ve heard small noice (chattering ?). Inside on side of right fender like is relay is small box (cca 4"x4") from where I was listening  chattering, but engine didn´t want to work.
It´s a pitty, tomorrow we have US car show. I will have to take spare car (Silverado). Poor Eagle, we were looking forward whole year for this.
Please don´t you have any idea where could be a problem ? I cleaned all wires and contacts I found.
Title: Re: Starting problems
Post by: MudPuppy on April 15, 2011, 01:53:57 PM
Right fender well and chattering (or clicking), I'd say solenoid, which is a very cheap and easy replacement. Mine had the similar symptoms not too long ago, switch out solenoid and everything was fine.
Title: Re: Starting problems
Post by: IowaEagle on April 15, 2011, 02:06:42 PM
Get the one for an automatic transmission, Ford and Jeep used them too.  Make sure before you buy one to make sure your battery connections are good.  You can bypass that solenoid very easily to test it.  I use a pair of uninsulated plier handles and short them across the two big terminals on the solenoid.  If the starter spins, then the solenoid is probably bad.
Title: Re: Starting problems
Post by: Petr on April 15, 2011, 02:12:34 PM
As I gotta advice - tried to bridge relay - it didn´t work. I removed this box and upside down it looked like inside is "something" cast in resin. From this I can hear "clicking".
Title: Re: Starting problems
Post by: IowaEagle on April 15, 2011, 02:15:50 PM
If bridging the solenoid did not cause the starter to spin then you may have a weak batter, and/or dirty battery posts or terminals or a bad ground at the engine.  These cars do not really tolerate dirty terminals or posts very well.
Title: Re: Starting problems
Post by: Petr on April 15, 2011, 02:26:00 PM
Yes battery post and terminal was dirty (- ) (only this one, no +), I cleaned it. But with any result.
Title: Re: Starting problems
Post by: Petr on April 15, 2011, 02:32:49 PM
I also tried to start thru starting cabels from other car .
Title: Re: Starting problems
Post by: IowaEagle on April 15, 2011, 04:31:38 PM
What condition are the cables at the starter and the engine block?  Loose and or dirty connections will cause problems.  These Motorcraft starters really need everything tight and clean.   My Concord is really fussy about everything being as it should.
Title: Re: Starting problems
Post by: Petr on April 15, 2011, 04:48:39 PM
Probably I will have to make review of all conection in car. The last chance for tomorrow´s show - I put battery to a charger thru night. If Eagle will stay in nest anyway - you will get pics with Chevy - what to do, but as all years I want you coud see "Day of US cars in CZ".