My '86 Brat GL was running fine yesterday, but this morning on starting the engine seems locked up. Battery is brand new and attempts to start.  Rotates about 1/8 of a rotation then goes 'clunk' and locks up.  What is going on??  Any ideas.

Check your grounding points, not sure that is going to be it, could be possible though.

What do you mean by "locks up"?  To me, that would mean it wouldn't rotate at all.  Did the oil get low? Overheat? How do you get it to unlock when you try to start it again?  Need more information.

check battery connections

Just went out to attempt to start the thing and it fired right up.  Do not know what is going on but will check the grounding and the negative battery connection.  Thanks for the reply..................

Another check to do is drop the trim panel under the steering column and look at the Pink colored connector.

That is for the Ignition switch.

 

The White wire is the main Battery feed. It has been cause of a few headaches, as the terminals in the connector have weakened over the years and cause a bad connection due to heat..

If the connector itself, or the terminals for the White wire are discolored, it is either the problem, or the start of future problems.

 

Also could be the contacts in the starter solenoid itself. They wear down over the many start cycles these vehicles have seen in their life..

 

Easy fix really.

New contact kit can be bought, HELP Brand part number, 02349.

Most Parts Stores have a HELP Rack, and can order in the above mentioned kit.

 

 

 

Also could be the contacts in the starter solenoid itself. They wear down over the many start cycles these vehicles have seen in their life..

 

Easy fix really.

New contact kit can be bought, HELP Brand part number, 02349.

Most Parts Stores have a HELP Rack, and can order in the above mentioned kit.

Maybe this is my problem too, been having the no start issue off and on over the past year or so, I jump it and no more problems for a while, 2 to 6 months just depends.