"Click! zzzZZZZzzz!" $*%&@!! starter!!

[The Magic Fiat]

After a battle with the starter, replacing the draggy one with a new (HA!) one that came amongst the parts in my 1970 Fiat, once in a great while I get the result I describe in the subject line of this post.

I know; solenoid.

Has anyone found a replacement that can be obtained at the local parts stores?
I'm not much into heavy adaptation either, I'd prefer a bolt-to-fit model.

Let me guess, so would everyone else!!

Neil

[Haps93]

I'm suffering from the same thing. Have 12.5v at the solenoid/battery post but when I turn to start I hear a click and only get 0.3v at the solenoid/starter post. Plan on taking starter / solenoid off this weekend. Any recommendations on replacement solenoid or vendors.





Cheers,

.............Chris

78 Spider

[The Magic Fiat]

The funny thing about this starter is how well it cranks under most circumstances.

Even when the engine is hot, that solenoid slams in there and cranks right up.

Until the couple of times it does the click zzZZZzz thing.

And that can be when it is hot or cold.

If I can't find a substitute solenoid to put on the original starter, I will probably take this one back out and give it a thorough clean and lube then try again.

(didn't test voltage, should have! dirty contacts can be a huge enemy, I sanded and cleaned everything connected. The test I did perform was to hook this starter up on the bench, it spun strongly, and when I tested the solenoid it about jumped off the table!)

Neil

[Haps93]

It sounds like my problem is slightly different as I ONLY get a click when trying to start. I believe that my problem is solenoid related. Oddly enough I just had the exact same problem on a lawn tractor that was stored next to the Fiat during the winter. Must have been those pesky "Fiat gremlins". Next season I will ensure that nothing is in close proximatey to the Fiat.

[manoa matt]

Here are a few starters that are readily avilable.

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList ... or=Starter

they also have the solenoid but you can get the whole starter for the same price.

matt

[The Magic Fiat]

Thanks for that info!!

[mdrburchette]

The clicking sounds more like a bad connection. Either the solenoid wire is maybe corroded/dirty or loose or the battery cables, or even the battery is weak.
As far as the zzzz sound, is it a LOUD, scary sound? It may be the gear or shaft making that noise. If it happened after replacing, the starter may need shimmed.

[mbouse]

OH, I get it now. we're talking about the first half of the subject line, not the "bleep bleep starter" part!

If you have a crack in your crankcase breather tube, you may be pouring oil on your electrical connections. Oil attracts dirt, of course. then add a loose connection to that mixture, and you might get your indicated symptoms as Denise points out.

If you find the hose cracked, might as well take care of that at the same time.

Just a thought.

[The Magic Fiat]

I usually do the "$^@#!!! starter!!" part too, but yes the noise is the important bit!

Good thought, I replaced that when I first got the car and it's dry as a bone down there.

And mdrburchette, the noise is that "didn't-quite-push-the-bendix-far-enough" spinning sound. I've had to deal with it before on other cars, so it's that %##@!! solenoid.

All these tips need to be accumulated someplace!!

[racydave]

I had the same problem last summer. I first cleaned and tightened the female spade terminals, then cleaned other starter connections with emeory cloth. Next I installed a ground wire from engine to body. Lastly I repaired a poor connection in the connector under the steering colum going to the ignition switch. Actually the connector terminal had gotten burnt, so I cut the wire and butt connectored it bypassing the connector. I cant say specifically which was the culprit, but its fixed!

[bran100]

I suggest accumulating these tips at www.FiatWiki.com. You can edit any of the pages yourself to add the tips. Just look for the "edit" button.

You really can't screw it up. If for some reason the formatting or anything is off, either myself, Chris, or anyone can go behind you and clean it up. The important thing is just getting all this great content consolidated.

Brandon

[verycoldfiat]

don't know if anyone else has run into this one before bu t last year i burned through 2 clutch cables(literally) it seems the engine ground to the chassis leaves a bit to be desired. this one took a while to figure out. found out the hard way when the cable melted and lit my pantleg on fire. oops. however adding an additional groud remedied all that.

[mdrburchette]

So we can call you "Hotpants" from now on? That's a scary way to find a problem!

[spider2081]

I think a lot more testing should be done by both of you before you pull your starters.
Especially when the voltage drops at stater/solenoid terminal. Does it drop at the battery/solenoid terminal also?? IF so it might be a bad connection else where. It could be a weak battery also.
My intermittent clicking solenoid was traced to a voltage drop at the ingition switch. Manual transmission cars don't use a starter relay upstream of the solenoid, so the ignition switch carries the solenoid current. Rather than replace the ignition switch I installed a relay between the ignition switch and the solenoid. The starter has worked great for the last 3 years.
Don't over look that "Brown" wire and its connections. Its a common problem too.
Remember every stick has two ends. The grounds are as necessary as the positive voltage. A good second engine to chassis ground can never hurt.

[verycoldfiat]

as "hotpants" here can attest to. i added a 4ga. ground from the rear transsmission top bolt to a bolt right behind the dirtibutor"1800 model". since then i have had very little if any electrical problems.if anything it's a good idea and will do nothing but good for the car.