Having replaced the starter motor in the car with the one thoughtfully provided by the PO when I overhauled the transmission, I was surprised to be getting the “click – nothing” sound after only 6 or so months.
It can mean many things, but seeing as how I was getting power, all instruments checked out, and I could hear the starter relay clicking, the finger seemed to be pointing at the starter. Sometimes she would start right up on the very first try, other times it took a few repeat attemps, and lately I had on occasion been spending 10 or 15 minutes before suddenly it would catch and the engine would roar to life.
I delivered the starter motor I had pulled from the car to a local shop. Thankfully Maserati did the same thing here that they had done with the transmission – sourced it from Chrysler. Turns out they’ve used the same basic design from the 60’s up to about the 90’s. Of course Maserati also managed to mount it in such a way (upside down and backwards) that any condensation, rain or other moisture collects inside the starter, guaranteeing it won’t last for too long before needing to be replaced or repaired.
For reference, it’s a 1.8HP Chrysler starter, part number 4091950, also used in the 1980 Dodge 1/2 pickup truck.
The parts shop was unable to find the rebuild kit needed (not a lot of American cars here), so I obliged and ordered 2 rebuild kits and 2 solenoids in order to repair them both. Found them at “Alternator & Starter Parts Wholesale” www.ASPWholesale.com, part no: 66-302 (solenoid) and CH-79-1100 (brush holder, rings, washers, brushes, the whole kit). Total price $71.82 plus shipping for all parts for both starters. Not a bad deal.
Got the car into the shop that had the extra starter, brought along the parts, and this afternoon was able to drive out with a decidedly easier-to-start car. And an extra rebuilt starter. Always nice to have a spare in reserve.
Getting another thing done on the car is always a reason to celebrate, that combined with the cold but dry weather brought us to a local establishment offering a good old fashioned by-hand car wash. Well, they use hoses and sprayers and all sorts of special products, but most importantly they all loved the car :-).
She’s clean, she starts, she’s garaged. Not a bad start for autumn.
I have the same issue with my starter. Had the starter/solenoid rebuilt and the problem soon returned. Sometimes I need to turn the ignition on, get under the hood, unplug the small wire near the ignition coil resistors that goes to the starter solenoid and touch it to the positive terminal of the battery to start the car. I love the looks I get!
It starts every time when done this way so for me it’s not a solenoid issue.
I then replaced the small ignition relay above the center fuse box and still the intermittent issue prevails.
This small ignition relay sends power to the starter solenoid and to the center of the resistors to increase the voltage to the coil during cranking for better spark. I noticed that the wire going to the resistors is actually two wires in parallel. I’m guessing that the wire gauge is too small so they ran two. The starter solenoid only has one wire that gets warm when attempting to start the car. Too much resistance in that small gauge wire might be creating the warm wire and not getting enough current to engage the solenoid.
I’m conducting a test by switching the roles of these wires. Use the double-parallel wires to go to the solenoid and the single wire to the resistors. Had to make up two simple male to female plug adapters. Still the intermittent issue prevails but much less often.
I hope your starting issue never returns.
Tony
Hi Tony,
you may be on to something. I’ve been looking into replacement starters, and one shop wrote me this back:
“However, before you spend money on a better starter, you should check to make sure the problem is actually with the starters. Often, when the starter just clicks (or does nothing at all, it is because the starter is getting insufficient power via the small wire that feeds the solenoid. The next time the starter just clicks, or does nothing at all, try using a remote starter switch to connect the small terminal on the starter directly to the positive post on the battery.
If the starter works when using the remote starter switch, it means that there is not enough power to the small terminal on the starter when you turn the key. To fix the problem, you need to either renew all the wiring and switches related to the starter (starter/key switch, neutral safety switch or clutch switch, all wiring connections from fuse panel to starter switch, etc) or add a Mopar style starter relay if your car doesn’t have one.”
Something for me to try, and test. Will post results when I get a chance to try it out.
Went to pick up a friend at the Airport a day after the starters were repaired.
Got there fine, Sylvia (the cars name is Sylvia) started right up on the first try, just like old times. The drive out was uneventful, as it should be. Met my friend, got the luggage in the trunk, we sat down in the opulent interior looking forward to an enjoyable drive back to town. Turned the key and got ‘click, click.’ Maddening.
40 minutes of various strategies to start the car failed, even shorting the ignition to battery wire on the starter resulted in a ‘click click’ disappointment. Finally called a tow truck and hauled her back to the shop that had fixed the starters.
The mechanic claims that the replacement solenoids are of poor quality, despite them being OEM equipment and not Chinese aftermarket junk. Replacing one rebuilt starter with another seems to have fixed the problem, and Sylvia now starts each and every time. At least so far. Fingers crossed & knock on (beautiful lacquered burl trim) wood.