QuestionHello, Rowland;
The subject automobile has been slow in turning over the starter, after the ignition is turned. When a back and fourth turning of the key is used, the starter will engage, and start the engine.
I would appreciate, any assistance, you could give.
Thank you,
Mike
AnswerHi Mike,
Approach this problem part by part in the chains that result in the starter motor going into action. The battery should be checked for 'age' and charge level (if you happen to have a battery hygrometer to check the density of the electrolyte fluid) and the quality of the clamp-post interface (use a battery terminal brush and anti-corrosion ccompound to finish the job, leave the battery disconnected while you do the next step), check visually the heavy gauge red wire from the + clamp to the starter motor where it attaches, and remove the nut that holds it to the motor and make sure it has a shiney surface, then reconnect it and reconnect the battery. You could further check the attachment of the - clamp's wire at its other end to the body nearby and reconnect it. Then check the functioning of the starter with the key.
If that hasn't corrected things, then you want to work backwards from the starter to the key. With a moderately heavy wire connect one end to the post on the solenoid (a cylindrical can on the side of the motor) that is holding the end of a brown wire in place (you can remove the brown wire if necessary to get a connection; use an alligator clip on the end of the wire, or if it is a threaded connection hold it in place with a nut). Then with the trans in neutral carefully and momentarily touch the other end of the jumper wire you have thus created to the post where the heavy gauge red wire from the battery attaches to the solenoid (be very careful to only touch the post as this wire is direct from the battery as you know, and if you accidentally ground the wire to something nearby at the same time the wire will "vaporize" and burn your hand). The motor should jump to life instantly. If it behaves sluggishly the way it does when you use the key, then you will know that the solenoid or motor is the fault. You could remove the solenoid (after disconnecting the battery) and try a new one, or remove the motor and solenoid and take it to a parts store or auto electrical shop and have them test the unit to see if the problem is the motor or the solenoid.
If the motor jumps to life, then that is o.k. The other end of the brown wire comes from the starter relay (located in the power distribution center, a rectangular box on the driver's side of the engine compartment) While you could verify the connection of the brown wire there, more likely is that the relay is lazy, or the ignition switch has corroded terminals that are resistive to current flow). A fairly inexpensive option is to buy a new relay and see if replace it will enliven the system. It just pulls out of its socket. If that doesn't make the starter responsive to the key, then the ignition switch is probably flakey. You need to remove the steering column covers around the switch (screws on the underside, usually will do it) and inspect the operation of the key. I don't know the design of the connection between the key and switch, some times they are intergral sometimes they are connected with a mechanical rod. Find the part of the switch that has the electrical wires attached to it and with a can or electrical contact spray cleaner ina presurized can spray the inside of the switch through any access opeining you can see. Then try the key again to see if that solved the problem. If not, then it is likely that the switch is faulty. It is possible that the wire from the battery to the switch is poorly connected, but unlikely. It comes on a red wire directly from the battery also. I don't have the wiring diagram for your car to tell you where to look for the other end of it but you might look for any connectors on it and make sure those are tight and clean inside.
So give it a try to isolate why you have this porblem. And let me know if you questions and whether you solve it.
Roland
