Starter Problems ?

Hey Coz,

Fisrt, you know I'm not a mechanic, but my brother-in-law is, 26 years. Second, he got my A-arm bushings out for me today and I asked about your problem here, so here's what he said:

You have 3 possibilities. The ignition switch is bad, the relays in the left panel are dirty or sticking, or your solenoid is bad. It has nothing to do with the MSD ignition because the problem is with starting, not with the engine continuing to run once the ignition is cut off.

It's probably the solenoid. It's usually on the firewall. It has the huge wire coming from the battery on one side and going to the starter on the other side with a small wire attached to it. To get the car started, you can jump the 2 sides of the solenoid with the handles of pair of pliers, with the ignition ON. Not practical in a Pantera. To test the solenoid, get your test light and attach it to the small wire coming from the ignition switch. It should light your test light when the ignition is turned on and it should turn off your test light when the ignition switch is turned back to the RUN position from the START position. It's probably sticking, bad or dirty contacts.

To find your solenoid, trace back from the starter along that fat wire to the solenoid.

There's no reason you gotta go through this, Coz. That bothers me when I'm a long way from home and have car troubles without even simple tools. Tell you what, call me, I'll give you his name & number. You can't call him at work, but you can work out the details with him. He'll give you a freebee, even after this, and give you a discount for 'Professional Consulting' to help you understand your cat way better, and keep you going, from anywhere. May have to get to an auto parts store for a minor tool and part, but it's security. Gotta know the right people. Makes life a lot easier!

Maybe I can help him and you both, but that's between you two, if you want.

Regards,
Ron

As always Ron, thank you.
I will give you a call.

I wasn't stuck, but it was a pain in the A**.

Push starting a Pantera when it's cold is quite an adventure. Thank God mine startes pretty easy.

As a matter of fact, when the key is in the run position, after push starting the car, everything was fine.

I'm thinking the solenoid. It's on the starter, so I'll pull the starter and have the whole thing checked first.

I have a guy here in town that will rebuild it if nescessary for 80.00.

Wonder what an igition switch costs ?,
if it isn't the starter
Anybody know ?

I never go anywhere without basic tools, conectors and other various little parts. I have learned that from the last one I owned.

Gotta love them Pantera's......

Thanks buddy, I will call in you the next couple of days.


[This message has been edited by Cozman (edited 07-06-2003).]

You are welcome Coz, maybe you're gonna stop by and show me that Bad A** Pantera next time you're heading East from Phoenix on I-40 through Albuquerque. I'll still buy you a Mexican food plate you'll always remember...car problems or not!

Ron

Id put my money on the solinoid.I had this happen once on a mustang.If you have a stock starter its mounted on the firewall next to the voltage reg.It costs about $10.The same solinoid is used on all fords from 1957-sometime in the mid 80's were they added a circuitbreaker to the solinoid.If you have an aftermarket gear reduction starter you should still look on the firewall and see if its still there.The best setups still use the stock solinoid in conjunction with the gear reduction setups. Good Luck!

A buddy just put a new starter in his '84 Ford F-150. The starter was still engaging after the motor was running.... Time for a new soleoid. Makes an awful screeching sound. May wreck the new starter if he doesn't!

Thaanks Guys !
Coz

Someone was saying that too much electrical current is going through the ignition switch with the Lucas electrics design, so that's another reason they did the electrical relays bypass modification, because Panteras burn out ignition switches too. Tells me that I gotta do the relays procedure, if I ever want to have relability. The weak link theory. Just gonna have to make that a priority, not too sexy, but pretty important. I hate getting stuck on the side of the road, or even in a gas station a mile from home. Problem identified, solution available, no excuses. Gonna do it this winter.

But I'm fairly confident you need the solenoid for now, and for $10, well, I might just replace mine since I'm thinking about it and have my splash shield off in the right rear anyway. Certainly gonna look and see if it looks shiny and new.

Don't wanna buy a new ignition switch though, or any more switches, that's for sure. Lucas design, corrected and modified by Pantera affectionados.

Just wanted to follow up.

Pulled the starter. I have the ford type that has the solenoid on the top of the starter.

Went to the local starter shop and bought a new solenoid for 16.00, replaced it, put the starter back in and Yahoo, things are back to normal.

For now anyway :-)) Just waiting for the next adventure to begin......