PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

Well, everything has been going pretty good since the tranny swap, but twice now since Febuary, the motor occasionally does not want to start. I don't mean it cranks continuously, it lights the dash lights at turning the key, but will not engage the starter. The battery has a good charge, but the starter does not even click when I turn the key, almost as if the shifter were not in park. In these situations I have tapped the starter and also disconnected the battery, but I have also left it a while, and it starts right up. I do have the odd gremlin like when the motor gets hot, the oil light will come on, followed closely by the low fuel alarm, which oddly enough, tells me all is well as long as they are both on. I suspect some sort of an electrical issue, possibly a relay, and I'm a little out of my depth when it comes to electrical but any tips would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Electrical issues for a 20 year old car with as many circuits as the Bonnie are not uncommon. Reseating connectors often fixes these problems.

Considering the starter, the first thing to do is to hook a volt meter up to the starter signal wire at the starter and see if the voltage is getting to the solenoid. It is the small diameter wire on the starter. ( On GM style starters, the ignition key puts 12 vdc on the solenoid built into the top of the starter, which closes contacts inside the starter and the big cable from the battery provides the current to spin the motor.)

Since you don't hear the click of the starter solenoid, then it is either not getting the power from the ignition key switch, or the solenoid isn't moving.

If the small wire isn't showing any voltage on the starter wire, then check under the steering column, which is where the switch operated by the key is located.

I just swapped out the starter for the one from the '90 I raided the tranny from. Will rebuild to go with my rebuilt "87 LE trans. I figure it was probably the solenioid. Thanks again. BC rules!