Rod,
I have a '74 as well. Sometimes the starter relay and seatbelt module
gets in the way of the normal startup process. I bypassed the seatbelt module
by unplugging its connector and, using a short strand of copper wire, jumpered
sockets 11 & 12. The SBM uses inputs from sensors in the seats, seatbelts,
and transmission to decide if it will let you start the car. If all is well
it closes the starter relay to send 12 volts to the starter solenoid. Maybe
its 30+ year-old electronics are making fuzzy decisions.
The starter relay actually has two sets of points (the other sends 12 volts
to the coil during starting). If the points for the solenoid have gone inop
for some reason, in a pinch you can swap the starter function over to the coil
points, but I don't think the coil points were made to take the heavier
solenoid load. You can also activate the starter directly by manipulating the
wires at the starter relay. The ignition switch must be "on" and the
transmission in neutral.
I'm always a little leery of the starter relay arrangement after hearing
about one here that somehow engaged on its own, causing the car to move
forward into the car parked ahead of it...at least that was his story. I took
mine apart to clean it up, and there is a very small spring that keeps the
relay points open until you hit the starter. If it broke, I guess the points
could close and make contact, and if the car was in gear it would move
forward.
Jeff
'74 & '74.5
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rod Anderson" <rod_anderson_99@yahoo.com>
To: "Six Pack" <6pack@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, July 04, 2006 7:48 AM
Subject: Intermittant starting problem
> All:
>
> Our planned Saturday cruise along rural Michigan backroads was cut short
when the Old Blue (1974, CF18407U) refused to start; showed the "fasten seat
belt" light and buzzer, but no starter action, not even a click. No problem,
probably the battery. Charged the battery overnight; the starter engaged the
first try. Wouldn't work for subsequent trys. Time to break out Dan Master's
invaluable book. Using his diagnostic procedure (connecting from the +
terminal to the S terminal on the solenoid), I was able to confirm the starter
and solenoid were OK . Then, tracked down the starter relay (which tooks
some doing). Cleaned it up a bit to identify the wire color codes in
preparation for the next step in Dan's diagnostics. On a hunch, tried the
starter at that point, and it worked fine. Tried it several times
subsequently and still works OK.
>
> "It fixed itself." Needless to say, this make me nervous about shutting the
engine off when not safely in the garage. I have now cleaned up the terminals
on the starter relay (and starter itself), but I'm still a little concerned
that there's something else going on. Any thoughts?
>
> This is a '74, which has the seat belt interlock and starter relay.
>
> Rod Anderson
> 'If you will not fight for the right when you can easily win without
bloodshed ; if you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too
costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the
odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There may even be a
worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it
is better to perish than live as slaves. - Winston Churchill, "The Gathering
Storm."
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