95 SHO No Crank Panel Lights On - Intermittent

[StormMountain]

Problem starting showing up on the SHO this a few weeks ago and then again just yesterday.

Turn the ignition key, instrument panel lights up, fuel pump squeals, and no crank happens. The fuel pump sounds a little funny as the sound dies down.

I messed with it for 5-10 minutes, trying to restart, poking around the hood.

The car starts normally afterward (started 3-times today with no problem). Same thing happened a few weeks ago, but has been starting fine up til last night. Only other thing that I have noticed is a burning smell over the past four weeks or so. I associated it with an oil leak (buring oil) that I need to take a look at.

Does this point to the starter solenoid? I appreciate any help and opinions!

 

[rubydist]

where does the burning smell come from?

I'm guessing from your description that the starter has one or more shorted windings, and it will act up if the starter stops on or almost on one of those bad windings. that can result in the burning smell as you are over-drawing the battery and overloading the wiring to the starter.

but it is just a guess, as there is not enough detail to do adequate troubleshooting.

 

[StormMountain]

maybe replacement of the starter and solenoid would be in order

 

[SHOdded]

If you are smelling burning oil, check the oil filter gasket area for leaks. Bad gasket or improper filter installation has been known to leak oil onto the starter.

 

[StormMountain]

The smell occurs after the SHO has been driven. Not totally distinctive as oil. I'm going in to take a look today (maybe the starter is full of oil). A new starter would have a solenoid on it correct? 95 SHO.

Research on this site indicates causes may be:
ignition switch
fuseable link (ignition circuit)
starter solenoid
starter
wiring to starter

It is a intermittent issue, but I know something is about to fail.

 

[kevinspann]

Yes a new starter will have the solenoid on it.

 

[StormMountain]

Replaced starter. Connected battery and no power at all. Checked, cleaned, applied electrical grease to connector, and reconnected the ground to engine. Still no power.

Battery? Any advice?

 

[StormMountain]

Battery shows 12V with voltmeter

 

[StormMountain]

Replaced battery (warranty), replaced ignition switch. Leads on starter?

 

[kevinspann]

Did you connect it correctly, and did you connect the 12v trigger wire for the solenoid?

 

[rubydist]

somewhere, you either did not connect the wiring properly, or you pulled apart whatever wiring issue was the real problem before.

check all the wiring to the starter carefully.

 

[StormMountain]

swapped the wires on the starter and when I connect the battery, it runs continuously. The small "trigger" wire was hard to connect. Could that be the cause???

Swap the wires back on the starter and strip that trigger wire and connect with wire nut and seal??

 

[StormMountain]

Stripped the trigger wire and connected in a positive manner. Same result.

Wiring harness or starter is what I'm suspecting at this point. Bummer.

 

[rubydist]

well if the starter runs continuously when you bypass the solenoid (which is what happens when you swap the wires on the starter) then you know the starter is working.

that leaves the wiring issue.

 

[StormMountain]

The starter proved to be okay; replaced the ignition switch. No power at the switch.

The problem is somewhere between the starter and ignition switch.

Beautiful SHO for sale - Colorado

 

[StormMountain]

Mechanic reported that both leads on a single solenoid post corrected the problem. I'm not sure I believe this until I see it.