Will not start

[03BeastCharmer]

So my beloved Cobra (SP02566) will not start, and I'm hoping it's an easy fix y'all can help me with.

It was working fine 3 weeks ago, when I was going on vacation so I plugged the in trunk battery charger up for a day before leaving. I get back a week later and experience something new.

If I put the key in the ignition I can turn it to position 1, and I'll hear the fuel pump kick in. If I try to crank it I hear one "clank", and then the car has no power. The horn doesn't work, the manual fan switch doesn't work, nothing. If I wait long enough, power will come back (horn, fan, fuel pump during position 1). If I try to crank it, there is the clank sound and all power goes back away. I had the battery tested, and it's fine, so it's something electrical. Anyone experience this or have ideas before I start buying parts or have it towed?

Here she is from about a month ago.

Thanks

[cycleguy55]

I could be wrong, but it sounds like your starter solenoid is shorting to ground.

[trularin]

Sounds like the cable between the battery and the solenoid might need some attention. Also might want to look at the cable between the solenoid and starter.

This is all based on the battery being good. How was that tested? Really sounds like either ground or battery cable - here again, if the bettery is good.

Hope this helps

Tru

[mrmustang]

Forget how the battery tested, have you tried a known working battery?


Cable connections are next, make sure they are all tight and not corroded.

Starter solenoid right after that, along with the voltage regulator (if not built in to the alternator).

I'm betting on the battery or it's connections as being faulty



Bill S.

[Dangerous Doug]

I would try to jump start it to rule out the starter. After verifying the starter functionality, I would look at the cable between the battery and the starter---I've had one cable separate from the battery clamp, but it looked okay until I moved it around. I found this by checking the voltage at the battery (13V) and then the voltage at the starter solenoid (0V).

Good luck.
Cheers,
Doug

[vatdevil]

And check your grounding connections, especially the one in rear for the battery. Some cars, the battery ground connector breaks where it attaches to frame, or corrodes.

[Tim7139]

Sounds very much like a sulfated terminal. Not at all uncommon to batteries in closed spaces.

[03BeastCharmer]

Got the car running!!! I had loose connections at the battery ground and also in the engine bay. Tightened those up and she fired up. So I get to go driving this weekend!!! Life is good again. Thanks for the help.