This problem started yesterday. When I turn my key to start the car, I hear a "sproing!" or "click!" sound coming from the engine compartment (from the solenoid? A relay?), but nothing else happens. On the 3rd attempt the car starts up. I know my car doesn't start in "Park", so that's not the problem - I'm starting it in neutral. What are the most likely suspects here? Where are they located? How do I diagnose which part is faulty? Usually I can do these kinds of simple repairs, but I've not been able to find an affordable repair manual for my car, so I sometimes don't know where things are located. I searched the forum archives, but the posts I found were from people who didn't even get a "click".

While I'm on the topic, how hard is it to fix the problem that prevents my car from starting in "park"? How much $$ is the part? Is there a tutorial somewhere?

Thanks!

 

Most likely suspects? dirty, corroded battery connections. Remove cables on battery and clean them and the posts, Remove ground cable at body and clean it. On the no start in park, I would check the shift lever bushings under the car, maybe the linkage has wasted motion and the switch never electrically sees park.

 

try the steps above first

take out your trusty ohm meter and check the resistance from the case of the motor to the engine block. it should be very low.if you have a high resistance or infinite resistance your ground from the starter to the motor must be renewed.

the starter could be on a flat spot or the solenoid could be going or it could be the ignition switch causing your problem. you can bypass the ignition switch by running a jumper wire from the + positive terminal of the battery to the small screw connection on the starter solenoid. this will engage the solenoid and the starter should engage the flywheel and crank the motor. if you just get a click and the starter does not spin tap the case with a plastic mallet to try and free it from its flat spotted position as well as possibly freeing the brushes and allowing them to come into full contact.

I'm doing a starter in my 76' 300D the mechanic who did it only 18 months ago(solenoid quit) really torqued it down,if you need to replace the starter remember you/someone will have to remove it again somwhere down the line.