This is a great car we have had for a long time (254,000 kms) but it is starting to act up, mainly a starting issue. When you put the ignition to on, if the engine light comes on then goes out, it will turn over and start. It may not continue running but it will start. If the engine light does not come on, the engine will turn over but not start. The black box between the battery and the fender will buzz or click rapidly (what is that box?), and sometimes along with one on the firewall and another between 2 brassy coloured things bolted to the driver's side fender near the front of the engine bay. When this is happening the engine light is very rapidly blinking. Perplexed and before I take it to my local shop maybe someone here would have an idea of what's going on. I have read through the shop manual but it's no help. Just tried it again and box beside the battery just clicked, engine light did not come on - no start. Rats!
When it did run, the battery showed it was charging at 14.2 volts. Checked it another time and it wasn't charging but battery showed 12.2 volts. It's a 3 month old battery.
Thanks in advance,
Cliff.

 

I'd start with a good cleaning of both cables and both ends of them. Once they are clean be sure they are tight to the battery, fuse box and ground at the body and trans. Look at the cables close as you are cleaning, where the cable meets the end is "open" might be corroding.

Next, there is a ground on the t-stat housing, where the lower hose connects....remove and clean it and then tighten it back up.....see pic.

See what you have from there.

If still acting up, time to start testing the main relay to see if you are getting power to the fuel pump - should prime for ~3 seconds when the key is first turned to on/pos II. We can go there if the first part does not pan out.

 

Turns out it was the relay under the dash on the driver's side - which was replaced about 2 months ago. Cliff.