No starter response

[wch1940]

We were all packed up and ready to leave Eldora Speedway Sunday
and when I tried to start the engine, nothing happened. I cycled the keyswitch, double checked that the tranny was in neutral and tried
about 8 more times and it finally started. Any Ideas on what I should
check?

Chuck Harrison
Akron, Ohio
03 Beaver Marquis

[DtBt]

Sounds like an intermittent relay, bad ignition switch, loose battery connection or bad starter solenoid. Does the normal warning lights come on when you turn the key on? If not that would indicate bad ignition switch or bad ignition relay. Does rapping ignition relay fix the problem? That would indicate a bad relay. If you can hear a click by the engine when you turn switch to start that would indicate a starter solenoid problem. Good luck. Hopefully you can find the issue as intermittent issues can be frustrating.

[pipedream2]

Start with the large ground off the starter to the chassis.....both ends......it has been the culprit many times before...

[wch1940]

Lights and (annoying warning buzzer) come on. Check engine light comes on as normal then goes out after about 10 seconds.

[DtBt]

If the warning indicators come on normally then that would say the ignition relay is working. Try putting a meter on the small terminal on the starter solenoid. If you don't get voltage (12.6v or more) when in START key position then the problem is somewhere between the switch and solenoid. If you get voltage there check the large starter terminal that comes directly from the chassis battery and the ground cables. Hopefully you have schematics to work your way back to the problem. You most likely have a starter relay that supplies power to the starter solenoid when the key is turned. The ignition switch is also a common problem area.