Starting problem

[Eric]

I get a clacking sound when my 1974 spider 124 sport 1800 won't start. What could be causing the car to start intermittently? Most days she starts but sometimes clack, clack, clack.

[SteinOnkel]

Weak Battery

Faulty ignition switch

Faulty wiring

Faulty grounds

Faulty starter

[rridge]

Start with simple and easy and work upstream. Voltage check between battery terminals then clean and tighten battery clamps. Replace the starter when you've eliminated everything else.

[Eric]

Start with simple and easy and work upstream. Voltage check between battery terminals then clean and tighten battery clamps. Replace the starter when you've eliminated everything else.

I have a new battery, new starter.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Steiny's (SteinOnkel's) list above is a good one, and it sounds like you've eliminated some of these possibilities. Check first that you have good ground cable connections between the body and the clutch bellhousing. And check the ground cable from the battery post to the body of the car. Your '74 still has the battery in the engine compartment, right? (later models had it in the trunk)

My guess is a faulty ignition switch (quite common) or the wires that attach to it in the back. Try wiggling those wires when you experience that "clack-clack" sound. If the car then starts, it's most likely a wiring connection or switch issue.

-Bryan

[RRoller123]

Those connections on the back of the ignition switch have caused this same problem in my car.

[Eric]

Steiny's (SteinOnkel's) list above is a good one, and it sounds like you've eliminated some of these possibilities. Check first that you have good ground cable connections between the body and the clutch bellhousing. And check the ground cable from the battery post to the body of the car. Your '74 still has the battery in the engine compartment, right? (later models had it in the trunk)

My guess is a faulty ignition switch (quite common) or the wires that attach to it in the back. Try wiggling those wires when you experience that "clack-clack" sound. If the car then starts, it's most likely a wiring connection or switch issue.

-Bryan

Thank you Bryan, I have not looked into the ignition switch. Thats my next project! Thanx again Brian!

[SteinOnkel]

They're a little long in the tooth these days. OEM replacements are outrageously expensive.

If you get a new Lada switch which is an order of magnitude cheaper, make sure you wire in relays.