engine suddenly won't crank

Discussion in 'Technical' started by jesparza101, Aug 8, 2015.

  1. jesparza101

    jesparza101 Member

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    hiya gents this is my first time posting on here

    my '72 maverick suddenly stopped one day and everytime I try to start it I hear a loud click
    first we assumed the stock alternator was fried since it was starting up again when we jumped it but would shut off when we took the jumper cables off so we replaced it with a new one

    that's when we started hearing the click we then assumed that we fried the starter solenoid since we've been starting her with a screwdriver (one of us had lost the keys literally the morning after I bought it) so I replaced it for a new one as well and hooked up a "push button start" I bought at O'Reillys and a toggle switch for the power

    we still can't seem to figure out what could be wrong so I decided to try asking here

    any ideas as to what might be going wrong would be helpful

    that and maybe some wiring diagrams

    Ps. She has a 250 i6 with an automatic transmission
     
  2. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    it might not be getting full power to the starter solenoid ...
     
  3. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

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    When the solenoid clicks once, then clicks again when power is cut it's operating(at least the coil that activates it)... Using a test light, see if there is power on the starter cable at both starter and solenoid while trying to crank it... If light is at expected brightness, likely the starter has a issue...

    http://1bad6t.com/Maverick/repair/pdf/72maverickwiring.pdf

    BTW a chattering solenoid generally indicates a bad or mostly discharged battery... If the new alt is not charging, you likely have a blown fuse link between alt and battery or maybe the regulator is kaput..
     
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  4. jesparza101

    jesparza101 Member

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    thanks for the help and ideas guys especially for that wiring diagram, we've been looking for one for the maverick for ages only kept finding for trucks and mustangs of differing years
     
  5. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    got this thing crunk yet...:huh:
     
  6. jesparza101

    jesparza101 Member

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    thats a negative ghost rider
    im gonna hae to bite the bullet and take it to a shop
    not to mention i gotta find a new carb
    been thinking bout getting another 2 barrel but preferably a 2 barrel
     
  7. MaverickDan

    MaverickDan I wanna go fast!!!

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    First check for clean and tight battery terminals, then if that's not it have a buddy try to start it while you tap the starter with a hammer. If it starts after tapping it means your starters bad.
     
  8. Mavman72

    Mavman72 Gone backwards but lookin' forward

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    Check battery state of charge...Dead battery wont crank nuthin
    Check condition of battery cables and connections for rust/corrosion(Green stuff)/loose cables at connections.
    Ground connections between engine/chassis. If it all checks good, you probably have a bad starter...Good luck young padawan!!!
     
  9. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

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    There isn't anything to the starter circuit but battery, battery cables, solenoid, starter cable and starter... Replacing all would probably less than just having a shop look at it...
     
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  10. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    ...and a good braided ground strap.
     

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