1967 Cadillac doesn't want to start every time....

Took the 'lac to the gas station and bank today to stretch its legs. She ran about a week ago just to be moved out of the warehouse and back into the warehouse and it gave me no troubles.

First attempt to go I turned the key and nothing no starter. Tried it a second time sounds a bit labored but fired up! ::Banana::

Decided on my journey I wasn't going to shut her off so I pull in to the World Headquarters Cadillac Storage facility and shut her down. The entire trip she ran like a champ! Try to start her again and nothing......

Put the charger on it and it and it is showing it is charged.

Let her cool off then try to start it again and the starter turns her over but sounds like its working really hard and it start. Shut her down and try another half dozen attempts to start it and it sounds normal and fires right up??

Thoughts??

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Q...514_115918.jpg

Bad starter solenoid?

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Originally Posted by sammm

Bad starter solenoid?

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Could be it wasn't clickin when it was doing the no start routine.

Went to my 'lac forum and hit the starter with a hammer is very popular reply...

Any codes from the ECU?

Are you running Ethyl?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jrj512

Any codes from the ECU?

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EC what??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OZMDD

Are you running Ethyl?

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Super Unleaded with a mixture of special stuff.*

(* not legal for sale in California) :-)

Kidding. $5 says a fresh starter cures it. Sound like the solenoid to me.

You are welcome to borrow my Scangauge.

Yep I think you and Sammmm may be correct.

It just spends so much time "resting" that that sucker is getting hung up.

I just went back out to the World Headquarters Cadillac Storage facility tried to start it again and it seems fine now....

I use to have issues with the Miata when the car was hot similar to what you have. After replacing all the little things including the starter solinoid that the guys on the pointy board recomended no change. Bit the bullett and bought a new starter and so far no more issues. So my issue is on the starter. Since you have time maybe find a shop to rebuild it?

Oh I didn't think about having it rebuilt! I'd like to keep the original parts on this car whenever possible.

Rebuild it yourself. I had a dead spot on my Pathfinder's starter. It finally gave up for good on a Sunday. I needed it Monday for class, so I figured I'd take it apart - either way I figured worst case I'd have to buy a starter for it that Monday when a store was open. Luckily my bearings were all good to go, so I cleaned it, sanded all the contacts/brushes, lubed it, put it back in. Maybe an hour from removal to reinstall, not a single issue in the 20k+ miles since I took it apart. Of course if the bearings in the starter are bad, that won't work for you. There are no rebuild kits for my truck, but I would be shocked to hear there are none available for your Caddie.

My dad had all the accessories rebuilt on his vehicles over the years. Sometimes he'd pick up a cheapo starter or alternator to use while the part was being rebuilt at some local go-to shop and then keep it as the spare, but the original parts always went back on whenever possible.

Generally, local rebuilds are cheaper than good-quality Napa parts anyway.

A 45 year old car is going to have corrosion (high resistance) on every connection its got. The ignition switch, any and all connections related to the starting circuit could be suspect.