Intermittent Starting

[NolaBoy]

I have a ‘76 with a 302. I have been having trouble with starting. I have upgraded the starter to a PMGR. It will start fine if it gets power. When I turn the key I either get absolutely nothing to happen or it starts fine. It has a new neutral safety switch and battery. I changed the starter solenoid but that didn’t fix it. I took the starter to a store and it tested fine.

I am wondering if perhaps since it usually works the first time I try after letting it rest if the starter passed testing but the solenoid in the starter is bad. Is this possible. Any other ideas on how to troubleshoot? Thanks!

Jimmy


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[DirtDonk]

It’s always possible for the problem to be in the starter. Rare that they’re that intermittent, but not impossible.
And the more new parts are thrown at it, the more variables are added to the mix. Don’t throw away your old starter relay. In fact, don’t throw away any of the old parts!
Next time, it’s very easy to test a starter relay/solenoid right on the vehicle in a couple of minutes to see if that’s the problem.
Saves you trouble and money. And frustration.

When it does it, is there even a click of any kind that you can hear? Or nothing?
When it happens, is everything else go dead too? Or do all the accessories, such as headlights, heater, and such?

 

[DirtDonk]

Speaking of crappy parts by the way. The replacement Ford starter relay is probably one of the most unreliable parts that are forced on us these days.
The original ones could last 50 years, or more. New ones are hit or miss right out of the box.
The less you pay, the more likely, you are to get one that only works a couple of times. If at all…
This makes diagnosing a bad one extremely difficult. You can no longer assume that a new part that you put on is no longer the problem.

 

[DirtDonk]

When you installed the new neutral safety switch, did you go through the adjustment procedure? Have you tried jiggling the shift linkage when you’re trying to turn the key to start?
Is it a stock column shift still, or something aftermarket?

 

[DirtDonk]

Sorry for the barrage of questions. Just trying to get everything thrown out there as it comes to mind.

 

[NolaBoy]

I have not adjusted it but I have jiggled it and it doesn’t seem to be the issue. It is a stock column shifter. I know the starter relays are unrealiable. I did try two. I already had one around. I haven’t been able to listen for a click on the new one but I didn’t really hear one on the old one which is why I switched it.


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[DirtDonk]

Do a quick test then. As described above, pull the red with blue wire off of the “S“ terminal of the starter relay.
With a jumper wire, or a metal tool (like the screwdriver suggested) touching between the battery side lug and the small S post.
Make sure the transmission is in neutral or park, and the brake set. Don’t have your hands near anything like a fan in case it does decide to crank.
Leave the key off, and just touch the small post.
You should hear a click and immediately the starter should crank.
Even though you’re expecting it, it has startled more than it’s fair share of mechanics!

If the starter cranks, then there’s nothing wrong with anything between the battery, starter relay, and starter. There’s something wrong with the power not getting to the S post from the ignition switch.