Print Page - 79' - solenoid and/or starter ?

Generation Specific => Second Generation 1970-1981 => Topic started by: jvmagic on March 25, 2021, 03:51:53 PM

Title: 79' - solenoid and/or starter ?
Post by: jvmagic on March 25, 2021, 03:51:53 PM: Hi,

Out of nowhere, the 403 is not turning over. Just want to confirm if it's the solenoid or the starter I need to replace. Initially I thought it was the battery so I performed a slow charge for a day and got 12.5v. Please see video. Also, should I replace or have the solenoid/starter rebuilt (car is a Y84; numbers matching)? There is a near by shop that rebuilds/replaces starters etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-roUzle4Jg

Thanks in advance,

~JV
Title: Re: 79' - solenoid and/or starter ?
Post by: b_hill_86 on March 25, 2021, 07:11:30 PM: Doesn’t sound to me, based on the video, like you have a completely dead starter or alternator. Just curious, how old is your battery? It’s not impossible for a battery to show normal volts at rest but struggle under a load. I had some occasional issues regarding labored starting and once I replaced the battery all was well.

Could also check your connections to ensure they’re not corroded.
Title: Re: 79' - solenoid and/or starter ?
Post by: 5th T/A on March 25, 2021, 07:14:15 PM: Hello,

12.5 volts is pretty low. Honestly before touching the starter I would borrow a known good battery or try jumping with a pair of high amperage jumper cables.
Title: Re: 79' - solenoid and/or starter ?
Post by: jvmagic on March 26, 2021, 10:10:34 AM: I have a 79' C3 so I'll use that battery and report back. Thanks
Title: Re: 79' - solenoid and/or starter ?
Post by: jvmagic on March 26, 2021, 06:16:20 PM: That was it!! Thanks for the comments/suggestions. I just didn't think the battery would be gone so soon but I guess AutoZone is not the best place for a battery.
Title: Re: 79' - solenoid and/or starter ?
Post by: Jack on March 26, 2021, 07:15:01 PM: I would still check the cables which could also cause the battery to prematurely drain, or not charge.
Title: Re: 79' - solenoid and/or starter ?
Post by: roadking77 on March 31, 2021, 03:48:34 PM: I ran my car for awhile with a bad alternator not knowing. It was getting harder to start each time I took it out. Got to a point my electric windows stopped working, I thought there was something wrong with the relays I put in. I went to a show that was a little over 2 hr round trip. The next day I went to a cruise that was about an hr away. All with a dead alt.! When I got ready to leave the cruise the car barely started. Next morning I tried to start the car and it was DEAD!