Starting issue?

Question

I have this issue where sometimes when I turn the ignition the dashboard lights and everything flashes on but the engine doesn't turn or react. If I do this a couple times I will eventually hear a soft clicking noise and then 2-3 tries after the engine will finally ignite and rumble to life.

So far I've always been able to get the car started - it can just take several turns of the ignition.

If it makes a difference, it's a 1977 Chevy Nova (350 v8).

I'm thinking it may be the starter or the alternator, but you guys may well know better than I.

Answer 1

It could be any of the other suggestions, but, I would suspect the solenoid. It is the smaller round cylinder on top of the starter.
First, disconnect the battery.
The battery cable attaches to it with nut about 5/8" wrench size. It's easier to remove the starter to do the rest of this job, but it can be done while still in the car if you have enough hand room.
The threaded portion that the cable attaches to is a carriage bolt. It has a round head and is square underneath the head to keep it from turning.After some time, the contactor inside the solenoid corrodes a spot on the head of this bolt and makes for a poor connection with symptoms exactly as you described. The cheap fix is to remove the two 1/4" nuts off the end of the solenoid and the attachment screw. The insides will come partially out.. Loosen the carriage bolt retaining nut and turn the bolt 1/2 around. The contactor will now have a new surface to contact and it will work like new.

Answer 2

It could very well be a bad connection at the battery, check that first. Then trace your wires to see if they are connected tightly. With the year of the vehicle and not knowing if your starter is old or new, you could have a bad starter. You can remove it, take it to an automotive parts place and have it checked. Only problem with this is they put more voltage to your starter than your battery could produce, but check the splines on the starter after you remove it, they could be worn and not catching the flywheel properly. Last but not least, you need to inspect your flywheel, the teeth on it could be worn in a spot and not catching your starter if it lands in that particular spot. If this is the case, you need to replace your flywheel. If both are good, I have seen with older cars that you need to shim the starter, for it is not catching the flywheel properly. Shims come in different thicknessess, so you will have to play with some to find the correct thickness for your problem. Good luck!

**You know, I was laying in bed last night and thinking on this, and came up with another possible problem. Seeing that this is an older car, there is a slight possibility that the ignition tumbler might be worn, which can also cause a starting problem. If I remember correctly, you have to insert the ignition key and turn it, just before you start the vehicle. Apply the emergency brake. And there should be a small hole near the underside, you have to insert something into the hole to remove the tumbler assembly. You might have to put the car in neutral also. ***

Answer 3

First, check your battery connections, they could be corroded and need to be cleaned or the connections are not tight enough, it can just take a small amount of corrosion to keep it from connecting properly. Try this first before looking at the starter or alternator, I dont think its either one of them, unless when you turn on the key you hear the starter motor spin, if this is the case it probably is the starter. If it was the alternator then it would not charge the battery enough to start it.

Answer 4

Have you tried to see if the ignition switch under the steering colume is good. Sounds like the contacts in the switch are going bad.

Answer 5

I had a similiar problem with an old Toyota, it was the starter. I eventually had to open the hood and hit the starter with a stick, although it was "ghetto" it worked and got me from point a to point b. Good luck, and your car rocks!