Intermittent starting

[sierraspider]

If the car sits overnight, it makes a noise almost like a fuel pump running but up front low whirring noise), but won't start. Then as the day warms up a bi (I'm in Calif so it's not freezing)t it fires right up. Checked battery 12.5 volts, checked connections at battery and starter, they seem fine. Any set of steps to check out this problem would be helpful. Electrical definitely not my strong suit!!

Thanks all

Dan

[RoyBatty]

What year and specs on the car?
Also, what are you doing just before the "low whirring" noise?
Are you turning the key to the start position to make that happen?

[sierraspider]

82 FI- yes I'm turning the key to the start position. Once it's warm starts right up. Is 12.5v enough to start it?

Thanks

Dan

[courtenay]

Is it turning over and not starting? Or not turning over. If it's the latter, check the brown and red wires running from the starter that are connected down near the alternator. Pull them apart and clean the terminals.

[sierraspider]

Not turning over- I'll clean up the wires/terminals at the alt and get back.

Thanks

Dan

[RoyBatty]

The whirring noise is the starter turning over but not being engaged to the starter ring gear by the bendix.
Usually a low voltage situation to the starter causing this, whether it's the starter itself or bad connections somewhere.

[sierraspider]

The whirring noise wasn't from starter, but from undervolt at solenoid. did the brown/red wire cleanup and all seems to be well. Turns over immediately and easily. At some point I'm going to go through every freaking connection and clean it up. It is a 32 year old car after all- I doubt if an 82 Taurus is any better if running at all.

[2ndwind]

If it is not already done, save yourself some future grief by installing a relay for the starter (I bought mine at radio shack; works great). The power is drawn through the ignition switch (poor idea) which will destroy your ignition sooner or later. Search for the instructions on this site. 60 minute job-tops.

BTW I ignored this advice (from this very forum) and had intermittent starting problems until it wouldn't start at all for the body shop guys. Had to replace ignition.

Same is true of the headlights. Thus a relay for them too. There is a $45 kit and instructions from IAP. Not only does it save your ignition switch it truly brightens your headlights by another 50-80%.