Flamigo (92 Amigo) is having problems. The dash lights are partly lit when the engine is running and the starter has become unreliable. Im wondering if these two problems are related.

I have seen other posts on the partly lit dash lights and the claimed cure was replacing a bad relay. Which relay tho?

On the starter, I only have trouble with it in the mornings. Once Flamigo has been run for a while (not sure how long, it takes at least 45 minutes to get to the city), it starts up every time. But the next morning, insert key, turn, *click*.

Any ideas? Im thinking maybe starter relay? I already cleaned my battery terminals, so thats not it.

Kevin

Edit: I found the other post:
Other Post
whew, what a url!

So, where would I find these relays?

EDIT: Cleaned up the URL

Kevin -- I'd guess that it is your alternator going out.... I know it is a ways into town, but I bet your local parts store will test it for free...

Randii

EDIT: DOH!! 92 Amigo. I can NEVER get these things right. *shaking head in shame* The below reply has been appropriately modified to reflect the fact that we are not talking abou the 99.

Kevin, I cleaned up that mile long url you had. Now you don't have to scroll right to see the end of the post.

I'll toss in $.02 for the alt, but I might also suspect the battery and/or both. If it starts during the day, but not in the morning either something is draining it or it is not holding a charge. The alt seems to be putting out enough to charge it on the way to town, but the fluttering dash lights would suggest it working pretty hard to do so. Do you jump it when it does not start? Or will the starter eventually kick over? During the day, does it crank normally or is it a bit slow/labored?

If you are feeling ambitious, pull the battery cables when you get home from work and hook them up in the morning right before you leave. No start=bad battery. Start=bad drain. Either one could also have an alternator component to it.

As far as a relay problem, it is minorly possible, but it does not sound like might be happening. If the relay is dying or the FP is on its way out, it is usually a hot start problem.

Now, considering this is a 92, and not a new fangled 99, I would start by checking all of the battery connections, in addition to the above. There may be a loose or corroded connection somewhere that is not ovbious at first. Worst case, it may actually be time for a new starter, alt and/or battery.

Good Luck,
Michael

On top of my over heating probs. This just started happening to me a few days ago. Turn the key to start and "click", the relay clicks but thats it. I have cleaned all the connections, even the ones on the starter. Each time, after I mess around with the solenoid on the starter, it will start, once. Then "CLICK" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />. I have actually sanded then applied electric component cleaner to the terminals and it still doesn't work.
The solenoid actually turns/twists when you are tightening the nuts. So it is probably messing the guts of the solenoid. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I have not looked in to it any further cause I'm so sick of working on it with no avail. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" /> I need a vacation.

Jake

Right after I purchased my rodeo it started doing the "click" but dont start thing. We replaced the starter and has worked like a charm ever since.

(Hope this helps!)
Good Luck!

Hmmm, ironic, there is an Isuzu commercial on TV as I type this....

Anyway, I was 99% sure that it was an electrical problem with Flamigo not starting. I finally had the time and the weather (not having a garage really sucks) to get the starter out of Flamigo and take it apart to see what I could find.

There is a plunger and two copper contacts under a plate on the starter. Those copper plates had worn so far down that the plunger couldnt make good electrical contact. I suspect that the reason it was a problem when first starting is that after I got it started, the metal parts warmed and expanded a bit making contact easier. Total starter death came when the plates got too thin to make any contact at all.

Summary....

Problem: Starter on 2.6L Isuzu engine would not engage, or would only engage intermittently.

Solution: Replace two metal plates inside starter.

Difficulty: Fairly easy, top bolt on starter is hard to reach.

Cost to repair: $3.00 in parts

In case anyone else needs the info.

Kevin

Hey thanks Kevin!
You make have just saved me a whole new starter!!
I have just been popping the clutch when it refuses to start. Too busy fixing the exhaust to bother replacing the starter yet. But it's been doing the same, turn key "click" nothing. if I keep turning the key it finally engages, sound like I might need new plates.

Easy you say? must mean for me will take a day or 2. nothing ever goes easy when I do repairs
(haven't really even looked where it is yet, time to break out the manual)

Thanks for following up with the solution to your problem, Kevin! Sometimes we all forget to come back and post follow-ups to problem threads....

Cool that yours was such a cheap solution! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Randii