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  #1  
Old 12-30-2005, 11:14 PM
Dennis ex24
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installing a starter button...potential clicking starter fix? HELP!!

my 1992 SVX has had the annoying clicking starter ailment...

im thinking that the problem lies within the wiring of the SVX's, being that the problem is more of a "hot" issue than anything else. ive noticed that SVX owners tend to have this problem frequently and being that mine has a legacy trans and starter - this isnt a starter problem within its self.

my plan is to bypass the ignition wiring altogether like i did on an XT6 i used to have. once i managed to bypass the wiring and install a button, i had no problems from then on.

the question at hand - does anyone know which wires to tap here?
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  #2  
Old 01-02-2006, 11:49 AM
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Have you considered the starter relay mod?

This problem seems to be fixed (properly) by replacing the ignition switch.
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  #3  
Old 01-02-2006, 11:58 AM
Dennis ex24
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actually, no it doesnt...

refer to the numerous threads about this and you will find all kinds of claims about what works and what doesnt. my findings have singled the wiring from the switch to the starter as the problem.

the relay has done nothing positive or negative on my SVX.

im looking to by pass everything and install a button.
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  #4  
Old 01-02-2006, 03:01 PM
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If the relay doesn't work then neither will a button. In your case it sounds more like the starter.
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  #5  
Old 01-03-2006, 01:18 PM
Dennis ex24
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hmmm, i dont know if i agree with this.

im taking about going around everything and wiring a button to the starter itself and the battery...i thought about wiring it into the ignition but that doesnt make much sense to me because i think therein lies our problem.

my idea would go around all of the ignition stuff and just trigger the starter. the key would obviously have to be "ON" to have the fuel pump and accessories run, but that would be the extent of it.

am i out of line here in thinking this will work?
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  #6  
Old 01-03-2006, 01:46 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis ex24
hmmm, i dont know if i agree with this.

im taking about going around everything and wiring a button to the starter itself and the battery...i thought about wiring it into the ignition but that doesnt make much sense to me because i think therein lies our problem.

my idea would go around all of the ignition stuff and just trigger the starter. the key would obviously have to be "ON" to have the fuel pump and accessories run, but that would be the extent of it.

am i out of line here in thinking this will work?

I did this on my old Pearly,
Then if it wouldn't start with the key. I'd just hit the button, which ALWAYS started it.

Mounted it in the coin holder area.

Just a regular momentary contact starter button, wired straight from the battery to the starter solinoid...
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  #7  
Old 01-03-2006, 02:16 PM
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And if that works then so will a relay.
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  #8  
Old 01-03-2006, 02:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis ex24
my idea would go around all of the ignition stuff and just trigger the starter. the key would obviously have to be "ON" to have the fuel pump and accessories run, but that would be the extent of it.

am i out of line here in thinking this will work?
You would turn the ignition to "ON" and then push your start button. You would then be doing the exact sequence that the ignition start goes through. Nothing in the ignition gets disconnected during the "start" cycle so you don't have to worry about that.

You will have to use heavy guage wire from the battery, through your start button, and finally to the starter relay. I don't know what the exact power draw of the starter solenoid is, you'll have to test or find a spec somewhere.

The relay upgrade is not 100% effective. My daily driver needed a new ignition switch because it wasn't even getting the 7v necessary to trigger the upgrade relay. I think ignition failure is rare and the relay will take care of most starting problems, but not all of them.

Doug
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  #9  
Old 01-03-2006, 02:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by huck369
I did this on my old Pearly,
Then if it wouldn't start with the key. I'd just hit the button, which ALWAYS started it.

Mounted it in the coin holder area.

Just a regular momentary contact starter button, wired straight from the battery to the starter solinoid...
Do you remember the amp rating of the switch and the guage of wire you used?

Doug
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  #10  
Old 01-03-2006, 03:00 PM
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Retro starter button.

Fitting a starter button will work OK, but you have to remember to allways have the shifter in N or P as the inhibitor switch will not be in the circuit, and it can start in gear, and GO.

The current draw through the button, is about 30 amps to pull the solenoid in, then about 10 amps to keep it there. An old horn button switch, will handle to load.

Harvey.
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  #11  
Old 01-03-2006, 05:28 PM
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9 times out of 10, the starter clicking is the starter solenoids themselves and the only way to fix this is replacement of the starter. It's the exact same thing for Legacies. When the starter clicks, replace the starter.
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  #12  
Old 01-03-2006, 06:33 PM
oab_au oab_au is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Manarius
9 times out of 10, the starter clicking is the starter solenoids themselves and the only way to fix this is replacement of the starter. It's the exact same thing for Legacies. When the starter clicks, replace the starter.
I'd bring that back to 1 out of 10, the other 9, is due to the voltage drop that occures in the wiring through the, Ign switch, and the inhibitor switch on the side of the box. I does not take too much resistance at any of the connections, to drop the 12V to 7V, when you are passing 30 amps through it.

Harvey.
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  #13  
Old 01-03-2006, 06:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oab_au
I'd bring that back to 1 out of 10, the other 9, is due to the voltage drop that occures in the wiring through the, Ign switch, and the inhibitor switch on the side of the box. I does not take too much resistance at any of the connections, to drop the 12V to 7V, when you are passing 30 amps through it.

Harvey.
So, that causes the starter to click? It's usually the solenoid contacts on the starter....I mean...for Legacies it's that way. And there's a lot of similarities between the cars.

I would bet on the wearing out of contacts over the wearing out of copper.
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Mods: DDM Tuning 4500k 35w Low Beam HID, 100w H3 Bulbs, Extra Ground Cables, 15 minute $12.96 mod,
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  #14  
Old 01-03-2006, 07:09 PM
oab_au oab_au is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Manarius
So, that causes the starter to click? It's usually the solenoid contacts on the starter....I mean...for Legacies it's that way. And there's a lot of similarities between the cars.

I would bet on the wearing out of contacts over the wearing out of copper.
The sound comes from the solenoid armature pulling the linkage for the starter gear, but because it can't get enought current through the wiring it can't pull it far enought up to the starter motor contacts, as it is also trying to turn the starter motor over at the same time.

Harvey.
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