[superneatdave]

well, just my luck. I start up my car and drive it over to where I replace my master cylinder. Starts up just dandy and the master cylinder was a breeze. I go to start it up and check the brakes with the assist of the booster...and it clicks once and nothing else. The lights dim, and the car laughs in my face. All the electrical system is working just fine, lights, stereo, etc.It's got the system of a dead battery, but the battery is at 100% charge! any ideas, tomorrow it goes up on a rack and I beat on the starter assembly...

 

[Barnzi]

I have had the same problem

The problem is the two contacts in the back of the solenoide of your starter motor. They are two copper contact bent at 90 degress. You will have to remove your starter motor, unscrew the three screws on the back of the solenoide and you will see what i am talking about. You can get the contacts from a auto electrician of you can make them yourself.

Good luck!

 

[Square]

I just had a friends Chevy van (1984, 5.0 liter, 4bbl carb) do EXACTLY what you are describing. I replaced the battery, replaced the starter, cleaned the battery cables at both ends, and did a continuity test on the fusable links. None of that helped. I took it to my mechanic and he said that the positive battery cable at the battery was corroded and needed to be replaced. The connector was the type where a heavy guage raw wire gets squeezed on by two flat plates, and the wire had corroded inside the plates! So check your connections at all possible points!

Good luck!

 

[superneatdave]

After lots of whining from my dad, I took the car down to the mechanic and had him put a new starter on it (No garage makes for a sad MK2 owner ) When I got it back it started up real quick, and now, 4 days later, it almost seems to be doing it again on occasion. Any other wisdom you're willing to pass down?

 

[Square]

Please list all the current symptom's. When you try to start the car does the engine Spin? If so how fast? Can you jump start the car and get it started?

 

[CRF_Rider]

the positive battery cable at the battery was corroded and needed to be replaced. The connector was the type where a heavy guage raw wire gets squeezed on by two flat plates, and the wire had corroded inside the plates! So check your connections at all possible points!

Good luck!

I had the same issue on my 85.

 

[superneatdave]

Problem solved. Fuel pump the whole time. It had half burned itself out trying to push through the last mechanic's BS "fix" Guess the engine needs gas to run, eh?