84 has starting issues... = (
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New User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8
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From: Dallas TX
84 has starting issues... = (
Ok I haven't driven the beast for a month or two, so I went out to start it up and let it run for a while. Well I try to start it and it sits there and cranks, so I let off the ingnition, and it still keeps cranking.... I pull the key out.... still cranking... It kills the battery... I didn't have time to mess with it till tonight. I just got back inside. I hooked some jumper cables up to it and tried to start again. Its making a new sound and I have no idea what it means. Its not the typical sound of a crank like the one you hear in horror movies when the car won't start. It sounds more like an electrical growl. Kinda like a blender that is stuck. Any ideas? I'm stumped! Thanks guys!
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 506
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From: Edwards Air Force Base
Stuck solenoid probably or else your ignition switch broke and got stuck in start. ( I mean the ignition switch up under the dash mounted to the column, not the key insert one.)
I am betting on the solenoid though.
As for your new growl, no idea without hearing but best guess would be you overheated the starter when it was cranking and cranking and cranking. I think the manual says not to crank it for more than 30 seconds and if it went until the battery died then it was probably a LOT longer than that.
To test if the solenoid is the problem or the ignition switch, just pull off that little red push on wire on teh solenoid and see if you have voltage when NOT cranking it. If not, then check the output of the solenoid to the starter. It should be dead. If you have voltage or you are have teh battery disconnected, it shouldn't be short to the hot side.
Lee
I am betting on the solenoid though.
As for your new growl, no idea without hearing but best guess would be you overheated the starter when it was cranking and cranking and cranking. I think the manual says not to crank it for more than 30 seconds and if it went until the battery died then it was probably a LOT longer than that.
To test if the solenoid is the problem or the ignition switch, just pull off that little red push on wire on teh solenoid and see if you have voltage when NOT cranking it. If not, then check the output of the solenoid to the starter. It should be dead. If you have voltage or you are have teh battery disconnected, it shouldn't be short to the hot side.
Lee
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 106
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I've had a similar problem with both my 1980 F150 and F350. My solenoid made a weird noise too. I had trouble keeping the battery charged and when it was low and if I tried to start it and it didn't have enough to turn over it would make that sound. I'd look to maybe replace your battery and solenoid and go from there. Hope this helps.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Asheville, NC
Either your ignition switch is sticking, or your starter solenoid is. You probably ruined your starter. It cant handle continuous cranking for more than 20-30 seconds without a cooling down period. Replace your solenoid. It's an easy replacement. Right there by the battery. The ignition switch is a bit harder, but not out of the D-I-Y mechanic expertise. As for the growl, when the battery is low, the starter soloenoid will click really fast because when it is 'on' and current flows to the starter, voltage drops due to the weak battery, or bad connection, and the solenoid opens due to low voltage. Then, voltage rises, solenoid closes, starter drags down voltage, and it happenover and over.
You should have replaced the ignition switch when you got under there to hotwire your push button switch. Thats something else: BE SURE that your additional wiring has nothing to do with this problem.
Best of luck to your finding this problem. Electrical problems can cause you to pull out your hair!!!
You should have replaced the ignition switch when you got under there to hotwire your push button switch. Thats something else: BE SURE that your additional wiring has nothing to do with this problem.
Best of luck to your finding this problem. Electrical problems can cause you to pull out your hair!!!
Last edited by Holmesuser01; Nov 29, 2004 at 07:15 AM.
