Intermittent starting issues (hot and cold starts) Options

[DC_neun_vierzehn]

I recently started having starting issues.

Here's the recent history ...

I had zero starting issues on the car for nearly 2 years of ownership (1973 2.0 w/ a starter relay).

Then, we dropped the motor and sent it off for a 2056 rebuild last year (and Dr. Evil rebuilt my trans at the same time).

When a friend and 914 world regular helped me do the reinstall, the key in ignition switch would not start the car (the car was sitting in storage for about a year waiting for the motor and trans rebuilds). As a temporary solution, we put a remote starter in the engine bay (alligator clips to the starter) and that solved the non-starting problem. Thus, we assumed the starter switch likely needed replaced. I put that on my project list.

I used the remote starter for a few months (and ordered a replacement ignition switch). Before installing the replacement switch, I decided to put the key in to confirm the switch was bad ... well ... it worked! Thus, I started using the key to start the car for the next couple of months without any issues.

Then one day the key in the ignition would not work. It was a cold start. Car was sitting for over a day. So I tried the remote starter ... same thing ... even the remote starter wouldn't work.

So I jacked the car up and put it on stands to inspect starter from under the car. No loose wires, not corrosion, the alligator clamps for the remote starter were still where they should be. I also looked at the starter connections that go to the battery in the engine bay from above ... all looked fine there too. Nothing loose, no corrosion, etc.

So I lower car and I try starting it with the key ... and it worked. WTH? I turned it off. Tried the remote starter. That worked as well.

For the next week or so the key worked.

Then yesterday, neither would work again. This time it was a hot start. I had been driving for about 45 minutes so it was fully warmed up.

So the intermittent starting issues are happening on cold AND warm starts.

So again, I jacked the car up ... looked for anything suspect around the starter ... looked in engine bay for anything loose ... didn't see anything. Then lowered the car and tried the key ... it worked and so did the remote starter.

It's frustrating and I don't want to get stranded somewhere (it's very flat where I live and I can't park on hills to rely on popping the clutch to start the car if the ignition isn't working).

Any ideas could be causing the intermittent issues?

[VaccaRabite]

Sounds like a dying starter to me. Like @Wokinpop said, jostling the starter does the same as tapping it.

Tapping a dying starter will work for a while. Until it doesn't and the starter is totally dead. Usually in the middle of a three day thunderstorm 200 miles from the nearest shelter and with the creek you were camped next to about to start flooding.

Best to just change the starter at home.

I really like the Asian hi-torque starters over the remanufactured Bosche starters. Seem to have better quality, and will sure turn an engine faster.

Zach

[emerygt350]

Sounds like a dying starter to me. Like @Wokinpop said, jostling the starter does the same as tapping it.

Tapping a dying starter will work for a while. Until it doesn't and the starter is totally dead. Usually in the middle of a three day thunderstorm 200 miles from the nearest shelter and with the creek you were camped next to about to start flooding.

Best to just change the starter at home.

I really like the Asian hi-torque starters over the remanufactured Bosche starters. Seem to have better quality, and will sure turn an engine faster.

Zach

I would second that after my experience with rebuilt flaps versions. Next time I will go for the fancy new style.