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Sometimes doesn't start


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I've owned my 1994 Loyale for about 6 months now. It has about 145,000 miles on it. It's been great without any problems except one starting glitch which has happened three times in the last 3 months. After being driven and then parked, upon return about 15 minutes later the car won't start. A quiet clicking sound is heard but nothing more happens. I thought it was the battery or alternator but the AAA man I recently consulted tested these and said they are fine. The last time it happened the car stalled while being parked and then wouldn't start. I went back about an hour later, wriggled the key in the ignition a bit and it started. However, I don't know if it simply just started or if the ignition has an issue. Starter switch perhaps? Any ideas?

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This is usually a sign that the starter solenoid contacts need to be replaced.  Very inexpensive and easy to do.  Several videos available on youTube.  Beyond that, you may also need to add a starter relay. Also very inexpensive and easy to do.  Starter relays are available off Amazon in a kit.

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Battery terminals... mine did that once before. I flipped them over. Aside from the skinny wire coming off the starter some years ago. Not necessarily wiggling ignition interlock assembly.. whereas my key is so terribly worn it falls out while driving sometimes. Ha ha ha

Edited by Len Dawg
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It takes 350,000 miles to wear out the ignition so that the spring breaks.  Other electrical problems, but probably not with your vehicle due to the low mileage, include the engine ground connector end wire at the body, the hot wire coming out of the alternator, and the black wire end coming out of the bottom of the Positive battery terminal.

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Just a thought, but have you actually hotwired across the starter to confirm it is getting enough power? You mentioned jiggling the keys starting it.

The ignition switch can wear out like you staed. Especially if you have heavy keys or other items on the key ring. Sometimes the contact poont inside the switch wears and only gives partial connection, enough to click, bit not turn over. It is very simple to check, and if it turns over or starts, will eliminate the solenoid, starter and such as being broken immediately. just dont electrocute yourself.

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  • 6 months later...

What Dee2 said ^

 

I'd also pull the ignition switch and contact cleaner the hell out of it.

 This is exactly what happened to mine.  I am notoriously cheap, but I also want to know WHY something does not work.  Mine went into the occasional start/clicking mode and I was hammering on the top of the starter for MONTHS.  Also I got contact drier spray and went inside the terminals to dry them off.  Cleaned each terminal contact and NOTHING.  Still me and the ball peen hammer.

  I would just get a dead click and heard the fuel pump running.  It took longer as the months rolled on.  Finally a friend and I pulled the starter (not the easiest task...glad there were two of us) and pulled it apart and cleaned it.  Fabricated a new contact, cleaned the stator, blew out dust etc, etc.  Back in the car....and same old shi...stuff. 

  I was coming up on the end of  my battery warranty so Costco took care of me there.  And NOTHING.

  Back to my friends and he did a dumb idiot test with me holding the coil wire to a ground.  Tuned the key and NOTHING until he released it to a return position...yup I got bit.  So, hummm...we bypassed the switch with wire and the darn starter turned over as it should every time. 

 

   So out with the IGNITION SWITCH and we saw the copper contacts were heavily worn.  Tried to make a new contact point using an awl to push up a copper contact.  No go so a jumpered (like stealing the car) solution.

   Ordered an ignition switch for $10.00 plus $10 shipping.  Once installed I NEVER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN.  Best twenty bucks I have spent in a long time.

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