[DeTomaso] Pantera won't start

[Will Kooiman]

I had the same symptoms.  It was the solenoid.  Of course, it could have
been any of the things that have been suggested.

You can bypass the solenoid by running a wire across both large terminals on
the solenoid.  If it tries to start (just bump it), the battery is fine.
I've done it before with jumper cables.

It still might not be the solenoid.  You've got to get 12V to the "start"
terminal on the solenoid.  The solenoid is just a high amperage relay.  If
you give it 12V, it will jump the relay and send high amperage current to
the starter.  At least that's what it's supposed to do.

I learned years ago that most solenoids in parts stores these days are junk.
You're better off with a 30-year old solenoid than a new junk one.  I also
learned that you can use one made for an F-700 dump trunk and it works fine.
They're made to handle extra amperage, so they don't fry as easily.  They
look a little different, but who cares?  You can't see it anyway.  I can
look for the PN if you're interested.

Will.


-----Original Message-----
From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com [mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com] On
Behalf Of Christopher Kimball
Sent: Saturday, October 25, 2008 6:10 PM
To: jderyke at aol.com; charlesmccall at gmail.com; detomaso at realbig.com
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Pantera won't start


I had the same problem once, and the guys on the forum helped me figure out
what it was, in my case.

Even though I had just replaced the solenoid, the second one I had didn't
work.  I found that if I made the connection the solenoid was supposed to by
using a jumper cable (just momentarily), the engine would turn over.  I
replaced the solenoid again and it worked fine.  I can't remember which
terminals I used on the solenoid for this test, you'll have to wait until
someone from the forum can tell you, unless you already know (sorry about
that!)

Another problem I had was the solenoid wasn't grounded to the frame
sufficiently.  I ran a ground wire from the frame of the solenoid to a good
ground and I've had no trouble since.

Sincerely,

Chris



> From: JDeRyke at aol.com
> Date: Sat, 25 Oct 2008 15:11:44 -0400
> To: charlesmccall at gmail.com; detomaso at realbig.com
> Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Pantera won't start
> 
> In a message dated 10/25/08 10:55:17 AM, charlesmccall at gmail.com writes:
> 
> > I assume that this is a faulty starter solonoid due to the lack of a
click?
> > Are there any other possibilities ?
> > 
> Remove, clean & retighten both battery cables.   A poor connection on one 
> will allow light loads to go thru but when a heavy load is called for, the
poor 
> connection opens up. The starter and solenoid take 100-250 amps to work
but the 
> instruments only take 5 amps or so. Good luck, Charlie- J Deryke
> 
> 
> 
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