Quoting iceman69510:
Well today after work, the GVR4 would not start. Everything electrical worked like the radio, dash lights, blower etc., but absolutely no start attempt. I tried a jump to the battery, then directly to the cables. Nothing.
Disconnected the clutch interlock in case it had gone bad. Nothing. Finally had it towed (unfortunately I am in Michigan for training and not at home) to my uncles house. Tried it again when the two truck dropped it off, and it started up. Has started fine 4 or 5 more times now.
I am stumped, but hope it doesn't happen again.
My only thought is the starter had stuck on a dead spot.
Thoughts?
You aren't the only one. This occurred for me, just this Sunday.
Full rebuild of the top half of my motor, major cleaning of all the iffy electrical contact points, all stock electrical starting components.
Got back from what would be maybe my fifth drive since the rebuild, and parked the car next to a snow bank. Couldn't get out my door because of the snow, and the passenger side was a big box containing a sandblaster cabinet. Tried to start engine to move car, and no cranking.
Voltage good on gauge (brand new battery), hear a nice click that is either the MPI relay or the starter clicking once, when the key moves forward to start mode. In start mode the fuel pump is priming .. (prime might be my new chip settings, but anyways). I had no tools other than a flashlight and my confirmation that my starter solenoid wire was still in place (I got my hand on it). Temp was -5 Celcius or lower, so nothing got hot on my highway ride home, nor the 5 mins off the highway to the driveway. I specifically cleaned or replaced connectors for the wires that connect inline before the chassis ground and starter, all the same circuit.
30-40 minutes later I tried the start function again, and it worked, and I parked the car shortly thereafter. Relieved but dismayed. I am going to check the wire in the connector that pushes onto the starter. After that, it's looks like starter related and not clutch interlock issues. I had problems when I first got it all back together, and it would do the same thing, except not click from the dash/firewall area to indicate any function of the MPI relay or starter being activated. Hmmm.... Gotta check for green on the starter solenoid connector, maybe I only cleaned the starter terminal itself?
Engine vibration could be a contributor to intermittent issues due to loose and or corroded connections. Starter also suspect, as mine if original to my car, is just shy of 200,000 km's by a hair. Spare in the basement, hopefully still good.
Maybe we both have a dead spot?
Nice post toybreaker, you got in there just a few seconds before me. Great info. In my case, starter always sounds the same when operating; consistent and what I assume is proper speed of the engine/flywheel. I have heavy gauge wiring front to back of my car, and a larger than stock battery, with no voltage drop issues.