Hey - my 86' runner has been sporadically not starting. When I turn the key I can hear what sounds like a solenoid clicking under the hood but the starter doesn't turn. I've replaced the starter and battery with no results, and when it does turn over its plenty strong and starts right up. I thought it might be the ignition switch but wouldn't that mean it wouldn't even click? The biggest problem is that does it so infrequently it can't catch it when I'm able to work on it. I'm wondering if it's one of the saftey switches that won't let you start in gear or without pushing in the pedal but when it happens I try all the combinations I can think of and nothing seems to help. Any Suggestions would be appreciated.<BR> [img]images/icons/confused.gif" border="0[/img] [img]images/icons/confused.gif" border="0[/img] [img]images/icons/confused.gif" border="0[/img] <BR>Thanks

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Nato99:<BR><STRONG>Hey - my 86' runner has been sporadically not starting. When I turn the key I can hear what sounds like a solenoid clicking under the hood but the starter doesn't turn. I've replaced the starter and battery with no results, and when it does turn over its plenty strong and starts right up. I thought it might be the ignition switch but wouldn't that mean it wouldn't even click? The biggest problem is that does it so infrequently it can't catch it when I'm able to work on it. I'm wondering if it's one of the saftey switches that won't let you start in gear or without pushing in the pedal but when it happens I try all the combinations I can think of and nothing seems to help. </STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Waht sort of starter did you install, new used, rebuilt, ND or aftermarket? You could pull out the solenoid and see if the contacts are worn. <P><A HREF="http://4crawler.cruiserpages.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml" TARGET=_blank>Starter rebuild</A><P>Also check all the connections, power AND ground between the starter and the battery.

Nato,<BR>I bet this problem only happens when the engine is warm. Right? It always starts when it's cold. Right?<P>Please let us know if it's warm of cold starting when this problem occurs.<BR>Thank you, RoadKill

WHOOPS ~ ~ ~<P>I meant...<BR>Warm or cold starting.<P>Sorry...<BR>RK

This is like the third post I've seen with a similar problem, and I've had my share of starter issues (replaced twice so far)<P> 1- is this a common problem?<BR> 2- is there a permanent fix?<BR> <A HREF="http://www.outdoorwire.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=11&t=005934" TARGET=_blank>http://www.outdoorwire.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=11&t=005934</A> <BR> <A HREF="http://www.outdoorwire.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=11&t=005894" TARGET=_blank>http://www.outdoorwire.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=11&t=005894</A>

The problem happens both warm and cold. There's no ryhme or reason that I've been able to see yet. As for the starter, it's new from Schuck's and is acctually the second new one. When the problem first started six months ago I suspected the starter, and when it started working each time after a good smack with a hammer, I was convinced. So when the new started acting up again I resorted to the hammer trick again and it worked so I exchanged it for another new one. I just put this new one on yesterday and this morning is right back to its usual goofyness. Is smacking it the hammer doing something else like completing a ground or jarring a connection somewhere. Sorry for rambling!!!

Oh yea, forgot to mention - it does have a ground strap from the back of the engine to the fire wall.