Bob :
I think rather than a bad solenoid, you have a bad connection
somewhere. My favorite candidate would be where the battery ground
strap is fastened to the body. Corrosion and/or paint can cause an
intermittant connection, even when the joint is mechanically tight.
After cleaning that connection and retesting, my suggestion would be to
stimulate the problem (try to start the car) then start tracing with
your voltmeter. Start at the starter solenoid, check from the large
post with the battery cable, to the body of the solenoid. If you don't
find 12V there, check from the post to the battery ground post, and from
the body to the battery hot post.
If you do find 12V at the solenoid, then check at the voltage regulator,
from 'A' to 'E', then 'A1' to 'E'. 'A' is connected to the starter
solenoid through the ammeter, and 'A1' is connected to 'A' through the
regulator (either one could conceivably be intermittant). If 'A1' is
hot, then the problem almost has to be the wire from 'A1' to the
headlight switch, or the connection at either end.
Randall
59 TR3A
Robert Van and Ann Cross wrote:
>
> Liisters,
> As you may remember, I asked for your help after my battery seemed to
> spontaneously go dead. I appreciate all of the help. I got a new battery
> but there was no improvement. The new battery read 12V, in fact it read 12V
> at the selenoid, the terminals at the control box, etc. Still, with the key
> in the ignition "on" position, there was no generator light, head
> lights,horn, etc. I jump started the car without any problem and it ran
> fine (ammeter charged satisfactorily, generator light went out, wipers
> worked, headlights worked, etc.). When I turned the car off, then turn the
> key to the "on" position, the generator light came on (as it should). I
> pressed the start button and heard a "click" from the vicinity of the
> selenoid. Then, the generator light went out, headlights wouldn't work,
> etc.. When I jump started the car, the starter motor barely turned over.
> Does this sound like a bad selenoid to you? The wiring system seems fine,
> generator works fine, no fuses were blown. Your input is greatly
> appreciated.
> P.S. I checked the battery ground and it is very tight.
> Thanks again, Bob Van
> The TR3 that can but won't
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