Long term problem........ First: car refused to start intermittently, and whole electrical system shut down. The problem could be remedied by hitting the solenoid with a shoe or hammer. Second: as the starting problem increased, I replaced the solenoid with a new one, although low quality. Third: Won't start at all w/ new solenoid, and no electricity to anything. Is it the voltage regulator (square, under the solenoid) or something else? Car is a 1973 sedan w/250 and 3 spd manual. Any ideas?
You flying all over the map on this. If it is a cranking problem only, the ignition switch completes the circuit to the starter solenoid. Questions, is the right terminal hooked up to the start lead from the switch? (some relays have two small terminals) Will the solenoid operate if the "start" terminal is crossed to the battery side heavey terminal? If yes then the start lead is in fault. If no then you have a basic battery feed problem. Are the battery terms. clean and tight, are the ground to the block and body good, are the battery cables good more than just looking at them? After this is worked out, test the charging system using a volt meter at the battery terms to see what the voltage is doing. After start, the charge system should be restoring charge to the battery in the form of raised voltge at about 15 volts then taper down as the battery recovers proving the alternator and regulator are ok.
if it was only bad once that is not a prob..it's when they are bad all the time that it's a PTA...frank...
Many people overlook the obvious of battery terminals and battery cables.. doublecheck all of them. Dan
