Ignition Switch or Starter?

[RRoller123]

On my 80 FI (all stock, w/ Lada aftermarket ign. switch) I have an intermittent problem whereby I turn the key and occasionally get a loud click (solenoid engages) but no starter engagement. Turn the key back off and try again and it starts fine, strong and normal. Battery has been stress tested, no problems. No apparent wiring problem. It seems to happen only when it has been sitting for a couple of days. Odd. I am thinking I either have a balky Ignition Switch or a balky Starter? Any ideas from you wizards out there who may have been through this?

Pete

btw: Wife is doing well, but first chemo didn't work, on to a new 2-drug cocktail from Dana Farber, and she is tolerating this one pretty well. This little car is about the only thing keeping my sanity.

[TX82FIAT]

On the surface it sounds like the Lada switch. i would take a close look at the posts on the starter motor to ensure they are clean and making good contact.

The Mrs. will be in my prayers today. When cancer hits home it hits hardest.

[So Cal Mark]

you're going to have to connect a voltmeter to the starter to determine where the problem is, otherwise start throwing money at it

[spider2081]

There are a couple connections between the ignition switch "start" position and the starter push on spade terminal that you might check.
First is the ignition switch connector behind the ignition switch. this is a troublesome connection.

The push spade on the starter solenoid needs to be clean and tight

Near the charcoal canister there are 2 single wire connectors. one has red wires and the other has brown wires.
the red wire single terminal is the wire connection the ignition switch to the starters solenoid push spade connector so this connection needs to be clean and tight

The brown wire terminal in the same area feeds the ignition switch so it also needs to be in good condition.

Your family is in our prayers. My wife is a survivor first in 1985 and then again in 1997. Wishing your wife and family similar recovery blessings.

[RRoller123]

Thanks for the feedback. I have checked all the connections except I haven't done a pull test on the crimp connectors at the back of the Lada switch. Hmmm, will try that today. They can tend to get biffed on occasion when rummaging around under the dash, so there could be a bad connection there. The push spade on the starter I will recheck. I had trouble with this in the past. Thanks again.

Pete

[majicwrench]

Like Mark indicated, first thing, before wiggling, pushing, pullling, peeking, tweeking etc is a voltmeter (or test light) at starter.
Keith

[RRoller123]

I would be happy to measure the voltage at the starter, but like I said, it is highly intermittent, happens maybe once a week, and then only once. So that isn't going to help. I need to know whether the likelihood is that it is a balky starter or ignition switch. Giving this some thought, and the number of discussions here about faulty Lada switches (!!) I think the intermittency probably resides in the ignition switch and will focus my attention there.

[azruss]

A little shade tree test. If you can catch it when it isnt working. while the key is turned to the start position and nothing is happening, hit the side of the starter with the end of a 2x4 or something like that. If it springs to action, then your starter solenoid is probably the culprit.

[spider2081]

I had a similar issue when I purchased my 81 in 2003. I cleaned all associated connections and then installed a Bosch relay in the starter solenoid circuit. Have 40,000 trouble free miles since. A poor performing ignition switch will have no problem operating a Bosch relay.

[RRoller123]

Thanks, all useful info!

Pete