« Previous Entry | MAIN | Next Entry »
June 22, 2003
Hooray!
After reading the suggestion below I went and swapped out the solenoid for a
new one. The Midget now starts up like a champ, instantly and without fuss,
with the key, every time!
This leads me to believe that I may have left out a clue to this mystery. I
didn't even know it was a clue until now: since I got the car 16 months
ago, the starter always took 5-15 seconds of cranking to start the car. The
PO informed me that it "has always been that way". He had owned the car for
6 years before me. I figured that if it wasn't (completely) broke, don't
fix it. Now, assuming the post below is accurate, my best guess is that my
solenoid was a bit rusty internally since "day 1", and my ill-advised
power-washing pushed it over the edge.
Forget about dismantling and cleaning the old solenoid. The new one was
only $18 at Moss. And, the way the old one is constructed, I would be happy
if I can get it apart with a sledgehammer, just to see what condition the
actuating pin is in.
Thanks to all for your input. The cumulative advice led me to an
understanding of the issue, and an informed decision for fixing it.
Steve
78 Midget
Steven Michelsen < stevenM@... > 22906
Posted on June 22, 2003 09:57 PM
Posted to category(s) Electrical System | Ignition System | Lubrication System | Tuning
