Sometimes won't crank

[burlybryan]

'82 FI 2000.

Tried searching but keywords are a bit general for this - but I assume this isn't a unique problem. Every now and then when turning the key to start the car, the dash lights illuminate but the starter won't crank. Not a peep from it. If I fiddle with the key, turning it back and forth eventually I'll get a tiny crank as a sign of life. More fiddling eventually energizes the starter and it cranks.

Before digging in, I assume I should check grounds, connections on the starter. Alternatively, does this sound like a wiring or contact issue in the key cylinder?

Thanks.
Bryan

[katsi]

I had the exact same problem. Everything was working fine, then I would get out of the car, walk into the store or wherever and when I came back and turned the key - nothing. Everything seemed fine. The radio would work, all the correct lights were working but when I turned the key - nothing. The fix was a bit strange but you could be having the same problem.

It seems that occasionally when I got out of the car, I was accidently hitting my wiper switch to the on position. When I got back in the car - nothing. Found out by accident when my buddy clicked it and she fired right up. We did the same thing over and over and whenever the wiper switch was turned on and I would try to start her up - nothing. Wiper switch off and she would fire righ up.

The fix - I had the regular slow wipers. They worked but very slow. So, I took everything apart and found that the arms for the wipers were really rusty and just did not move to well. I disassembled, painted and greased everything up real well and put it back together. Seems that the wiper motor was pulling too much juice and so the car would not start. Now, the wipers work great and you can start the car with the wipers on.

I don't know if this is your problem but would be easy enough to check out. Turn wipers on and try to start the car - turn wipers off and try the same.

Really, I can not tell you how long I did the same thing. I would fiddle with the key and not realize that I would just happen to switch the wipers off during lapses in key fiddeling and then everything would be fine. It was not untill I watched my friend try to start the car when I realized that he turned the wipers off and then like magic she fired up.

Good Luck.

[burlybryan]

Katsi,

That's an odd one! Since I got the car (last September) I've run the wipers maybe once. I do know that the wipers were not engaged on my car, but the amp draw is worth looking into. My stereo (with changer in the trunk) is pretty thirsty and blows a fuse about once a month. It did finally fire after (but not immediately after) I turned the stereo off.

I'm going to try to start the car with the wipers on though. Thanks.

[azruss]

in my experience you have 2 possible problems. 1st is you have a tired starter solenoid, the 2nd is an ignition switch with worn out contacts. the next time this happens, have someone turn the key to the start position and give the solenoid a rap with a 2x4 or broomstick or whatever and see if that makes it start.