Hey guys I had purchased my '74 Maverick as a first car a few months ago and put a lot of work into it since. A few days ago I went to start it and it clicked as if the battery was dead even though I purchased the battery 2 weeks prior. I go to jump it and still the same thing. Then a friend noticed it started to smoke at the positive end of the solenoid. After replacing the solenoid it still did the same thing so I went to Auto zone and they told me my starter was shorted so I purchased it and swapped it for the old one. It started right up and ran for about a day. I then played music for about an hour on just the battery while I cleaned the car and then went to go start it up and no crank. I thought that the battery just died so I charged it up and went to start it but no crank just a click. My battery was tested and is at the correct voltage but I checked my starter and when I turn it it reads only half that. I also replaced my ground cable to the block. Any help would be great! Thanks!!
I'f you're reading from the battery posts(not cables/terminals) while cranking and voltage drops to half, more than likely you have a bad battery or it's not charged... The other possibility is a locked/shorted starter... Way to tell difference is, usually a weak/bad battery be a few seconds before voltage recovers where it was, if it's good should climb back to orig voltage almost instantly... Also battery voltage should drop significantly if battery is bad/weak just by turning on headlights...
I originally checked the voltage from the starter cable on the solenoid when it read half and I just checked the voltage on the battery itself when it cranks and it barely goes down. I think I found the problem though.. the exhaust is almost touching the positive lead on the starter. There is like a 1/4 inch of clearance. Do you think the starter could've shorted because of that?
It could be grounding out by touching the exhaust, also check the battery terminals for any corrosion or build up if their black clean them to get better connectivity. And do you have a ground running from the engine block to chassis.
A 1/4" is close but unless the exhaust is actually touching, isn't likely your problem... If voltage has a large drop from one end of the cable to other, cable or connection to battery is possibly bad... Battery ground cable on the block often gives problems...
So a few of my friends came over today and tried to find the problem and we came to the conclusion that the starter probably shorted out so we unbolted it and put it on the ground while it was still connected and decided to try it again to see if it was done forsure. I turned the key for a sec and it worked! We mounted it back on and started it a few times without any problems. I drove it around and parked it at a friend's house for a couple minutes, came back to the car and now just a click again.. I will be replacing it tomorrow and double checking all the leads. My battery terminals aren't corroded and are tight on there.
Hey guys I found the problem! After taking off the starter again I took a second look at the fly wheel and found to what seemed to be half a washer stuck in the teeth. That piece jammed my starter therefore causing all my problems.. I appreciate the help! Thanks guys
