Starter Issue - No Crank

[Tynan918]

'84 Monte Carlo SS...

My starter isn't cranking when I put the ignition switch in the crank position... It's how I start my car until I can afford another steering column.

I also have a bump starter button under the hood that isn't cranking the engine over... I used this to start my engine for months.

Only time I can get it to crank over and start the engine is if I jump it using a screwdriver, with the ignition switch in the on position.

I know it isn't the ignition switch because I have two of them, and 1 is brand new...same results with both.

The purple solenoid wire is getting power to it.

Used to start up just fine, until I over flooded the engine in the middle of traffic and continually kept trying to crank over the engine. My last attempt during that time, the starter continued to crank itself over on it's own for a good 30-45 seconds after I put the ignition switch back in the "OFF" position..

Had it towed home and replaced the oil and got the flooding to quit and carburetor under control...

Went to start it using the ignition switch and nothing happened...

Went to start it with the bump starter and nothing happened...

Jumped it with a screwdriver and it fired right up, but not with the bump starter or the ignition switch.

I don't trust to keep starting the engine like this as the starter may give out on me anywhere leaving me stuck and require another costly tow I can't afford...

My starter is good for a free replacement under warranty, and I'm thinking the solenoid gave out on it causing the issue I'm having now.

Anyone else think the same thing ?

Any other suggestions are considered. Thanks in advance.

 

[Tynan918]

 

[Tynan918]

 

[Tynan918]

 

[pagrunt]

My neutral safety switch doesn't have any purple or purple and white wires connected to it...
(the purple wire you see isn't connected to the NSS nor associated with the solenoid ignition wire, it's a smaller gauge).
View attachment 189958

The automatic cars don't have an electrical but a mechanical neutral saftey. It'll prevent the mechanical operation of the key to switch rod in any position other than Park or Neutral. The purple 12ga wire will run from the column plug at the starter switch to the firewall junction block. Now the manual cars would have a mechanically interrupted electrical switch. As for this switch, it just has the electrical for your back up lights (blue & green) & to relay to the TCC (black & orange/black) if the car is in gear or not.

 

[g0thiac]

Did this and no crank...

Probably a bad starter then, if it just sparks. You can try touching the wire from the red to purple again, but have someone smacking the starter with a hammer or rubber mallet.

 

[Tynan918]

Probably a bad starter then, if it just sparks. You can try touching the wire from the red to purple again, but have someone smacking the starter with a hammer or rubber mallet.

That's what I'm thinking bro... Either the starter or the battery, but I get power to my headlights and things...

 

[scoti]

It was suggested.... Have you had the opportunity to try whacking the side of the starter w/a hammer & trying to start it like you were before?

 

[Tynan918]

It was suggested.... Have you had the opportunity to try whacking the side of the starter w/a hammer & trying to start it like you were before?

You can try touching the wire from the red to purple again, but have someone smacking the starter with a hammer or rubber mallet.

Yea, I'm going to try that this morning...

If not, I'll just remove the starter and battery and have them tested and possibly replaced...

I'm in warranty on both for a free replacement...

 

[DRIVEN]

Are you expecting a new starter or battery to fix the 6v drop between the ignition switch and starter solenoid?

 

[Tynan918]

Are you expecting a new starter or battery to fix the 6v drop between the ignition switch and starter solenoid?

No...

How should I go about finding the voltage drop ?

I found the bulkhead behind the power steering vacuum canister and brake booster, but how do I get to it to test it ?