I have a B16A with an intermittent starting problem. Sometimes when I try to start it I get the indication that its trying to start, lights dim and that starting sound. But I get no clicks, and then other times I have to hold the button down for four or five seconds and then it will start. But I have never had clicking. All the wiring is good, all connections are tight voltage is good?

Does this sound like the starter going? Could it be the ignition relay?

This is keeping me from driving my car because it only wants to start like 70% of the time....

 

hold the button down? so you have push button start? maybe that has something to do with it?

 

Button is good, wiring is good.

When I had the D in there it worked fine for over two years.

 

Where does the starter actually ground too? The block?

The only reason I am asking is because I am going to quintuple check my wiring tomorrow morning.

 

BUMP

 

BUMP

 

yes the starter is grounded to the block. test the trigger wire at the starter. if you're getting battery voltage there while it has a fit and isn't cranking, then that will you tell you the starter solenoid is bad.

 

The wire on the bottom of the starter?

 

What is the correct procedure for testing the starter soleanoid?

 

when i had starter issues i used this site to diagnose it

http://www.type2.com/bartnik/starter.htm

basically if your getting power all the time at the one small wire at the starter, this means the ignition switch is good. now if while you're getting power all the time at this wire, it on occasion fails to start, then you know the solenoid is failing.

 

^^ yep. or just take the starter and have it bench tested

"The starter solenoid receives a large electric current from the car battery and a small electric current from the ignition switch. When the ignition switch is turned on, a small electric current is sent to the starter solenoid. This causes the starter solenoid to close a pair of heavy contacts, thus relaying a large electric current to the starter motor, which in turn sets the engine in motion. "<-- wikipedia

 

Where on the starter does the ignition switch go? Is there a possibility that is loose? How do I check?

 

assuming the ign. switch is good there should be 12v sent through the trigger wire to the starter. yes it could be lose, but i doubt thats your problem. the wire has a little female spade connector on it and slides onto the male spade conn. on the starter. just test that wire with a multimeter or test light. if at any point while your turning the key to crank and the wire doesn't see 12v, then its possible the switch is bad. if you are always seeing power, however intermittently the starter actually turns, then the solenoid is likely the culprit. as he said above, its just basically a heavy duty mechanical relay. it uses a small current to allow a large amount of current to pass from one terminal of the starter over to the other.