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  •  » Solenoid - Are these things a pain?

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    4/27/2018 6:32 AM  #1

    Toploader
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    Solenoid - Are these things a pain?

    I have the standard solenoid and find from time to time these things act up, right at that moment I go to crank the engine over. The end result is me having to pop the hood, tap it and then it is ok again.
    What is going on here?

    1964-1/2 D Code Coupe - 289 V8, 4 Speed Toploader, 3.00 ratio rear, Autolite 4100 Carb, 15" tires, Pertronix ignition
     

    4/27/2018 8:02 AM  #2

    Bullet Bob
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    From: Montrose, Colorado
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    Re: Solenoid - Are these things a pain?

    It's an electro magnetic switch...probably 50 years old...probably sticky inside, or the contacts are burned, pitted, cruddy.  If the "S" terminal and main battery connections are solid I'd say buy a new one. 

    BB

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    4/27/2018 8:23 AM  #3

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
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    Re: Solenoid - Are these things a pain?

    They're pretty bulletproof from my experience.  If you're having to go through that rigamarole just replace it as BB suggests. 

     

    4/27/2018 3:15 PM  #4

    6sally6
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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
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    Re: Solenoid - Are these things a pain?

    Bullet Bob wrote:

    It's an electro magnetic switch...probably 50 years old...probably sticky inside, or the contacts are burned, pitted, cruddy.  If the "S" terminal and main battery connections are solid I'd say buy a new one. 

    BB

    Tell'em how to war it so he don't need no solenoid
     

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    4/27/2018 3:43 PM  #5

    Bullet Bob
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    Re: Solenoid - Are these things a pain?

    Gotta have some kind o' sol-in-oid.  Either on the fender/firwall, trunk floor, battery box...somewhere, or on the starter.    Or you could use a crank like we ustadid back when sal was a tot.  That just required sole and noids.

    BB

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    4/27/2018 4:58 PM  #6

    Toploader
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    Re: Solenoid - Are these things a pain?

    It's probably only about 6-8 years old, so I am not sure it is an age thing?
    Maybe I was just having a bad day... Ha, ha

    1964-1/2 D Code Coupe - 289 V8, 4 Speed Toploader, 3.00 ratio rear, Autolite 4100 Carb, 15" tires, Pertronix ignition
       •Thread Starter
     

    4/27/2018 7:14 PM  #7

    6sally6
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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
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    Re: Solenoid - Are these things a pain?

    Bullet Bob wrote:

    Gotta have some kind o' sol-in-oid.  Either on the fender/firwall, trunk floor, battery box...somewhere, or on the starter.    

    BB

    ??????????
    Oh!!.....that "fix" you told me about (deleteing the solenoid) was when I went with the little mini starter/late model starter. I think it has a solenoid on the starter!
    Anywho....I ain't got no solenoid no more. Least I don't have no separate one!!
    6s6
     

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    4/27/2018 7:22 PM  #8

    Bullet Bob
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    Re: Solenoid - Are these things a pain?

    Stevo wrote:

    It's probably only about 6-8 years old, so I am not sure it is an age thing?
    Maybe I was just having a bad day... Ha, ha

    Or...maybe it suffers from  AMS....(Asian Manufacturing Syndrome).

    BB
     

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    4/27/2018 7:23 PM  #9

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
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    Re: Solenoid - Are these things a pain?

    Just a thought as to WHY your solenoid might be sticking...

    If you don’t drive the car regularly, wouldn’t the battery lose some of its power over time without being regularly charged?
    If the voltage is a bit low on initial startup, the current going across the solenoid contacts will be alot higher and might be more prone to welding themselves together.   A fully charged battery might help with the problem.

    Just another somewhat logical MS theory.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    4/27/2018 10:17 PM  #10

    Toploader
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    Re: Solenoid - Are these things a pain?

    Bullet Bob wrote:

    Stevo wrote:

    It's probably only about 6-8 years old, so I am not sure it is an age thing?
    Maybe I was just having a bad day... Ha, ha

    Or...maybe it suffers from  AMS....(Asian Manufacturing Syndrome).

    BB
     

    HA, HA!! Yeah, well.. It has happened before with other components, so I guess this may be a possibility.

    1964-1/2 D Code Coupe - 289 V8, 4 Speed Toploader, 3.00 ratio rear, Autolite 4100 Carb, 15" tires, Pertronix ignition
       •Thread Starter
     

    4/27/2018 10:18 PM  #11

    Toploader
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    Re: Solenoid - Are these things a pain?

    MS wrote:

    Just a thought as to WHY your solenoid might be sticking...

    If you don’t drive the car regularly, wouldn’t the battery lose some of its power over time without being regularly charged?
    If the voltage is a bit low on initial startup, the current going across the solenoid contacts will be alot higher and might be more prone to welding themselves together. A fully charged battery might help with the problem.

    Just another somewhat logical MS theory.

    You could be right here Steve. Maybe the battery is getting a bit low. For what its worth... I aim to drive it at least once a week or more. That should be enough I hope.
     

    1964-1/2 D Code Coupe - 289 V8, 4 Speed Toploader, 3.00 ratio rear, Autolite 4100 Carb, 15" tires, Pertronix ignition
       •Thread Starter
     

    4/28/2018 12:00 AM  #12

    Ron68
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    From: Mukilteo, Washington
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    Re: Solenoid - Are these things a pain?

    Make sure the solenoid is properly mounted with a good ground to the fender apron.

    68 coupe - 351W, 4R70W, 9" 3.25 -- 65 convertible - 289 4v, C4, 8" 3.00
     

    4/28/2018 4:59 AM  #13

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
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    Re: Solenoid - Are these things a pain?

    Bullet Bob wrote:

    Stevo wrote:

    It's probably only about 6-8 years old, so I am not sure it is an age thing?
    Maybe I was just having a bad day... Ha, ha

    Or...maybe it suffers from  AMS....(Asian Manufacturing Syndrome).

    BB
     

    I'm stealing that one and making my own! 
     

     

    4/28/2018 6:38 AM  #14

    Bullet Bob
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    Re: Solenoid - Are these things a pain?

    It's nice to be appreciated...I think.

    BB

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    4/30/2018 9:57 AM  #15

    Michael H.
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    From: Laurel, MS
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: Solenoid - Are these things a pain?

    TKOPerformance wrote:

    Bullet Bob wrote:

    Stevo wrote:

    It's probably only about 6-8 years old, so I am not sure it is an age thing?
    Maybe I was just having a bad day... Ha, ha

    Or...maybe it suffers from  AMS....(Asian Manufacturing Syndrome).

    BB
     

    I'm stealing that one and making my own! 
     

    Asian Manufacturing Syndrome... stealing the idea and making your own... I see what you did there!
     

     

    4/30/2018 9:19 PM  #16

    dave68
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    From: Calgary Alberta Canada
    Registered: 4/05/2013
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    Re: Solenoid - Are these things a pain?

    Bullet Bob wrote:

    Stevo wrote:

    It's probably only about 6-8 years old, so I am not sure it is an age thing?
    Maybe I was just having a bad day... Ha, ha

    Or...maybe it suffers from  AMS....(Asian Manufacturing Syndrome).

    BB
     

     
    Good one.

    1968 Coupe 289 C-4 Dave
     

    5/01/2018 9:15 AM  #17

    almcgee
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    From: Fairview, Texas
    Registered: 6/01/2013
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    Re: Solenoid - Are these things a pain?

    I do appreciate good humor from BB and 6sally6.

    Mustang Steve Bash in Gruene, Texas September29-30, 2023
     

    5/01/2018 12:08 PM  #18

    1toomanyprojects
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    From: Mtn West
    Registered: 4/06/2013
    Posts: 28

    Re: Solenoid - Are these things a pain?

    The son & I are both running $50 DB mini starters and are happy with them. No slow heat soak starts and spin faster by design. Put one on a Perkins in a Bobcat and was $200 less than a reman that lasted 3 weeks.

    67 Coupe Resto Mod 347 T5 MGW
     

    5/11/2018 5:39 AM  #19

    Toploader
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    Re: Solenoid - Are these things a pain?

    I don't know guys... I am driving the car more now and today I turned the key, it cranked and then I had total power failure. I popped the hood, tapped the solenoid and then I was able to start the car.
    Has this ever happened to you any of you?

    1964-1/2 D Code Coupe - 289 V8, 4 Speed Toploader, 3.00 ratio rear, Autolite 4100 Carb, 15" tires, Pertronix ignition
       •Thread Starter
     

     

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