[DeTomaso] starter electrical system problem

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 9/21/13 12 15 14, pantdino at aol.com writes:


> When the key is turned to starter position a noise like a mechanical bee 
> is heard from the passenger side firewall area and the starter motor does 
> not engage.
> 
>>>That is the starter turning over, but the Bendix drive not engaging.   
The gear that shoots out from the starter and engages the flywheel, is 
instead just spinning in free space.
> 
> >History is that I have used an ignition cutout switch to start the car 
> when it is hot for years--  I get the engine spinning then flip the ignition 
> switch.  If I try to start the car normally when hot the starter is not 
> powerful enough to drive the engine past the first piston firing and it stops 
> dead and I have to try again.
> 
>>>Cutting off the spark should have no impact, I wouldn't think?   That 
is, your ignition cutout switch isn't doing anything to help or hurt the 
starter.   The starter will either turn the engine over, or it won't.   It 
doesn't care if spark is being introduced or not.

Some engines (lawnmowers, dirt bikes etc.) have a compression release 
lever, which holds an exhaust valve open so that the piston doesn't have to 
compress anything.   That's how you start my dirt bike--hold the compression 
release and kick a few times to introduce mixture into the cylinder, then 
release, kick one more time, and (hopefully) VAROOM.

But your ignition cutout isn't doing anything remotely like that.   So I 
think you've been fooling yourself about its effect.
> 
> >My experience is that a clicking but non-closing starter relay is a sign 
> of a weak battery, but this battery should be fine and the noise is 
> different.
> 
>>>Your starter has just died, that's all.   It happens....

I would hie thee over to DB Electrical and get a new, lightweight starter 
with integral solenoid, ask for their optional (free) wiring kit to adapt it 
to your electrical system, and know that you will need to buy new, longer 
studs to mount it, which are readily available at any good Ace hardware store. 
  While you're at it,   you can get flange nuts that require a 15mm socket 
instead of the normal 17mm, which makes installation much easier.

Good luck!

Mike