Won't start

[FordPrefect]

Had a few good weeks of driving after the brakes were sorted, but now the car won't start.

Plenty of power, all of the lights go on, headlights, etc. but the car just goes 'click'. STarter is otherwise silent.

I managed to push start it, and checked a few wires, but could not jump start it.

I'm assuming the battery is good, the solenoid seems ok, but no start.

Ideas?

[htchevyii]

Check all connections, check batt voltage at he starter. If all else fails tap the starter with a hammer. If it then starts you could have a bad spot on the commutator and it only won't start in that position ot the brushes are worn and barely making contact?

[So Cal Mark]

you really need a voltmeter to do any diagnostics

[FordPrefect]

Quick question, why are starters so darn expensive? I've found Rock Auto selling them for about 60 bucks, but IAP and those fancy schmancy gear reductions are 200+ clams?

[So Cal Mark]

the Rock bottom prices on rebuilt units reflect the quality of repair and parts that are put into them. Order them 3 at a time to give yourself a better chance of getting one that works

[FordPrefect]

I replaced the starter, and it fired up on the first go. Hurray for me!

Took about six hours, as that one bolt was pretty difficult to get at, and I didn't check to see if the terminal connector on the red wire would fit the new starter, so when it was installed, it was a bear to get the red wire in place, and I'm not positive it's gonna stay there.

But other than that, it's good to go. Thanks everyone.

[So Cal Mark]

the small lightweight gear reduction starters make the replacement time about 15 minutes

[FordPrefect]

Most of that time was spent working those bolts out, but yeah, I was thinking about those lightweight jobs towards the end.

[MNspiderman]

Yes, that starter is a heavy little piglet ain't it? I think it weighs about the same as the entire cylinder head. The first and only time I took mine out, I thought it was filled with mercury and rare earth magnets. They coulda used a little bit of honda technology in that department.

[mbouse]

holey tamolie!! six hours? i could have removed the carb & intake manifold and replaced it in under an hour... making great access to the top of that starter.

[FordPrefect]

Hey quick question, there's a hose that runs from the engine to the air filter, it's main job seems to be impeding access to the starter wiring, and it has an odd filter in it. This wire failed catastrophically whilst the starter job was in process, just kinda crumbled in my hand.

I have no idea what it's called, so that makes looking up a replacement tricky, does anyone know what it's called, and where to get a replacement? Local auto parts place didn't have any adequate hoses to cut down for me, since it's a bit unusual and needs to fit the filter doodad.

[So Cal Mark]

the crankcase breather hose runs from the vapor separator to the air cleaner. It shouldn't have a filter in it, but there is a flame trap that goes inside the hose. Any qualified Fiat vendor will have the proper hose

[FordPrefect]

I've been looking around, and can't find anything under that description at IAP, or Rock Auto.

[So Cal Mark]

as I wrote in another post, IAP seems to be phasing out Fiat to concentrate on Alfa, and I wouldn't consider Rock bottom a Fiat parts vendor. They are one of many who just skim off the fast-moving items

[FordPrefect]

Hmm. Oh well, I made a length of heater hose work decently. Thanks for the help.