1988 pont bonneville not starting 3800fi

[ddskidog]

Firstly, the starter/solenoid assembly was removed, tested and because of iffy mechanical status, replaced with reman unit. The Battery meters at 12.43 volts, alternator was recently tested and passed.

The solenoid will click once when attempting to start, then nothing. The car was in very good running order until it decided not to start. I have attempted to start the car in neutral, to no avail.

I guess i need to know where to look first, second etc, for the prob. My suspicion is the starter relay under the dash.

Any and all help on this is greatly appreciated. My bad back can't take much more of this car.

[maxwedge]

Welcome to AF. Look at the battery cables and grounds, clean and tighten all of them, typical symptoms

[G Van Wingerden]

Best investment you could make is to get a complete set of vehicle wiring diags so you know what's in the system, then you can determine what COULD cause the problem and start checking. If you do not have WDs, you can purchase them from http://www.ahdol.com/

[ddskidog]

The battery and terminal bolts are all new - less than a week old, the cables are all inspected and no corrosion or pinches. the clue here is one solenoid click and no more - i am leaning to the starter relay shutting down.

[ddskidog]

I also have the Chilton book with wiring diagrams - starter relay, ignition, or neutral safety switch seem the answer - which is the most likely?

[jdq]

Sounds like starter to me.

[ddskidog]

Ok all - I have taken the starter out again - for further testing - not the solenoid/starter assembly - I was able to be under the car while a second turned the key. The starter plunger is acuating, there is no drive wheel turn - the single click is the starter trying to go - the wheel stopping it - is it the shim? the drive wheel froze for no reason that is obvious? Any help appreciated

[ecartman]

Originally Posted by ddskidog

Ok all - I have taken the starter out again - for further testing - not the solenoid/starter assembly - I was able to be under the car while a second turned the key. The starter plunger is acuating, there is no drive wheel turn - the single click is the starter trying to go - the wheel stopping it - is it the shim? the drive wheel froze for no reason that is obvious? Any help appreciated

Did you try to turn the engine over by hand? Maybe it or something driven by the the accessory belt has seized and is preventing the engine from turning over.

[ddskidog]

Mystery has been solved - car is running - ty for suggestions