Starter or something else?
 

My 91Z has been on a battery tender in between drives for probably 10 years. Recently unplugged and went for a 3-4 mile drive and pulled into gas station to refill. After fill up car would not start. Loud click in engine compartment each time i turn the key. Someone jumped me and car started.

Drove home and after i got home car started fine. Plugged in the tender overnight and next day started first try. Drove about three miles then left it parked for 4 hours at the golf course. Would not start - heavy clicking no starter engagement. Got jumped went to Autozone bought a new battery. Started first time. Drove home plugged in the tender and started first try the next day.

Thought the new battery fixed it but problem remains. When on the tender it starts normally. After driving a few miles it won't start.

Starter could be out, but why does it start easily when voltage is topped up and not start (solenoid clicks but no engagement) after a short drive? Alternator?

With holidays and work wont be able to troubleshoot for a week or more. Just wondering if anyone is familiar with this issue.

Thanks

Re: Starter or something else?
 

If I was to guess I would say you need the clutch switch bypass. since you have ruled out the battery

http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread....=clutch+bypass

Re: Starter or something else?
 

Sounds like it might be the Starter Solenoid. Try repeatedly clicking the Starter next time it does it to you. If it is a worn or arced Solenoid contact, they will usually engage after a few repeated tries.

Good New's is if it's the Solenoid, it's only a $3.00 part to replace.

Bad New's is getting at it, means pulling the Plenum.

Re: Starter or something else?
 

It will only start when overvoltage is applied like when on a charger. The starter engages 100 % of the time on first turn of the key in that condition. Once the car is driven and left to its own charging system and battery it will not turn over (click but not engage) 100% of the time.

I will perform the clutch switch bypass before pulling the plenum again.

Re: Starter or something else?
 

New Battery!
We played that game with a truck at work; turned out to be the battery.

Re: Starter or something else?
 

I suggest checking the alternator. It sounds like the tender is the only thing charging the battery.

Good Luck.

Jim

Re: Starter or something else?
 

That would seem to be the next thing to check.

Re: Starter or something else?
 

Another thing is to have the "new battery" load tested. Ive seen a few fail that were brand new. Im sure its fine but aonther item to check. Then on to the alternator. However you did not say you saw any under undervoltage issues on the dash while driving the car. Just that it wont start are driving the car so its either you are powering down the battery after driving it and the alternator is not working properly to maintain a charge. If its not the alternator my guess still the clutch bypass. However you have a few items to check first. D

Re: Starter or something else?
 

Loud click means the solenoid is actuating = pulling in. Sounds like the starter is the culprit, but check the battery terminal voltage when the solenoid is actuated. Should be well over 9 volts - if not, the battery is kaput.

Re: Starter or something else?
 

Sounds like the starter is the culprit,*

How so? If it works on the charger should'nt it also work from the battery if the battery is OK?

Anyway I will get after it in a week or two. I work for UPS so not much free time from now till New Years.

Happy Turkey Day to all tomorrow!