Electrical

Starter is Intermittant

I think I finally resolved my intermittent non-starting problem. I am including the steps I followed for those others that may need to debug this problem.

1. Check the voltage at the starter. With the ignition on it should be 12 volts. If it is then proceed to step 2.

2. Pull the starter (XIV) relay. If you jump pin 30 and 87 the starter should start with the ignition off. If the starter does not actuate it’s the starter. If it does read on.

3. Check the voltage between pins 86 and 85. 86 is hot from the ignition switch and 85 goes to ground. The voltage should be 12 volts with the ignition on. If the voltage is below that then there is a possibility of a ground problem. Mine showed 9~ volts. This not enough to start the car!

4. To confirm a ground problem jump pin 86 to a good ground. I used the hex bolt at the computers. If the voltage improves to the 12 volts you know you have a ground problem.

5. You need to try and help the ground a little. Jump the brown and yellow wire at the back of the 'U' connector to a known good ground. Again, I used the hex bolt at the computer.

6. With these jumped replace the relay and try to start the car. If it starts its time to track down the ground. But, I'll save you the trouble. It's in the spare wheel well.

7. Take apart the connectors and reseat them. Try to start the car. Hopefully this solves the problem. I know it did it for me. It also seems to have fixed my bouncy Speedo. I cleaned the connector and applied some dielectric grease and the problem has yet to reoccur.

Hope this help those with gremlin infected sharks out there.

Kevin Berez (kaberez@mindspring.com)
'86.5 928S Auto Meteormetallic