Help identify a potential problem?

Question

I am having a issue with my car that I would like to see if anyone could help identify. Its my project car, so I am in no hurry to pay a mechanic to look at it. The car is a 1995 Pontiac Trans Am. Occasionally when I go to start the car, it just clicks once and thats it. The accessories power and lights do not die or flicker, the radio doesn't reset, and the battery gauge still shows power. However the power gauge is probably a little lower than it should be. Sometimes I have to turn the key back and try again 3-4 times and then it goes. When I get it to start, it starts strong and normal. And this issue only happens occasionally, most of the time the car just starts right up first try. I can go days or weeks in between it happening. Any idea what this could be? I know it isn't the battery itself......but could I be looking at some deeper lying electrical issue, or maybe something more simple like the battery posts? Any info will be appreciated, thank you

Answer 1

There are a couple of possibilities the first one you can eliminate pretty quick. Remove the negative cable first and clean it. If you have the side mount battery terminal make sure you get the inside good and clean. clean the battery also do both terminals and install the negative cable last. What this sounds like to me is more of either an ignition switch of the starter solenoid Since the lights do not dim when the key goes to the start position Im betting your ignition switch is going bad. that would also explain why you can try it 2 or 3 times and then it will start.There is one outside possibility I will mention to you also. The neutral saftey switch. next time it does this put your foot on the brake and drop it into neutral see if it starts right away. if that happens you will need a test light and check it next time it is a problem before you turn the switch on and off 2 or 3 times.

Answer 2

If it's your project car you are probably keeping battery posts clean but if not that would be step 1 along with being sure the posts are tight and the connections are also tight.

If that is not the problem and it probably isn't then you are probably looking at a starter trying to go bad, most likely a tooth is out of whack. If you drive this and need it to be reliable consider this a warning to at least get a station or better an auto parts place to check the starter. If you want to take the risk of iyt not catching at all omne day you could have 6 hrs,6 weeks, 6 mo or longer before it finally doesn't catch at all. If you for the wait and see method do 3 things 1. get a hammer and keep it in the car because occassionally a sound whack with a hammer will persuade it to jump past the tooth and start (do not plan on that good luck more than a couple of times and BE SURE you know exactly what youn are hitting) 2. be sure not to park it behind the car you woulduse instead. Pushing a dead car is no fun trying to push and steer solo is a real pain and can be dangerous if you loose your footing aboutb the time it works up to a good roll. 3. invest in road service (like AAA) which we all need anyway.

Alternate plan check around with local auto parts places and see if one of them offers free or cheap computer diagnostic work in the hopes of selling you the parts.

Answer 3

Could be the battery terminals, loose, dirty connections. They MUST be tight, and CLEAN. Also, the (-) Negative, or black wire, where it is bolted to the engine or frame must be clean and tight. The (+) positve or red cable, usually goes to the starter and or the solenoid or both. These connections must be clean and tight also. Because you are dealing with DC electrical, even though it is only 12 volts, it still has a lot of amps. Be very careful when dealing with the battery cables because an arc or spark can cause a lead acid battery to blow up. Always disconnect the (-) Negative battery cable before the positive. I would reccomend removing both cables it possible at both ends of each, cleaning them really good with a wire brush and any solvent available then re-attaching them and making sure they are tight on the battery posts. While they are off, clean the battery posts also. Give that a try. It may solve your problem. If not, you may have a weak starter motor that is about ready to die. But try the cable connections first. Simple solutions are usually the best solutions. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Solenoid contacts by the sound of it. If it your project car consider removing your starter motor, making sure the brushes are ok. If they are good then replace or clean the solenoid contacts.
On some models you cannot get into the contacts without professional tooling. If this is the case you may need to replace the complete solenoid.

Answer 5

Bad ground to the solenoid or loose cable from the solenoid to the starter maybe. It would be easiest to poke around with a voltmeter while someone was turning the key to see how far the 12 volts to the starter was getting.

Answer 6

clean your battery terminals real good and re tighten and you might want to check the battery cable on the starter for being clean and tight, there's a possibility that your soleonoid on the starter is going bad also.

Answer 7

Sounds like a loose electrical connection.

Answer 8

Could be the starter solenoid is going or the connection to it is suspect.