When trying to start car, we here a click and it is like the battery is dead. (Page 1/1)
BitStream OCT 14, 01:57 PM
Hello All.

I have an issue with my 1986 Fiero with a 2.5 Iron Duke.

When we turn the key, we here a tick and nothing. It is like the battery is dead, yet it is fully charged. we even got a brand new replacement with no changes.

I have taken the spark plugs out and the crank will turn using my breaker bar without issue.

Now the car had been sitting for a while (1Yr) so we had removed the sparkplugs and placed some oil in the cylinders to make sure we were not going to cause too much damage on startup. It was turning over at first, then is quit and all we got was a tick.

I immediately thought the motor was done, so we pulled the plugs again and checked the crank. It seems fine...

Next we went after the battery with no success.

Then we tested the starter OK, but replaced it anyways.

Then i ripped out the car alarm, as I have had issues with old aftermarket alarms in the past. Still no success.

Now we are at a loss of what to attack next.

I have purchased new battery cable connections to replace the existing ones to see where that takes us.

Any other suggestions from anyone? Ignition Switch? ICM? Any advise would be great.

Thanks all

Ervin

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My Fieros...1986 Pontiac Fiero Sport 2.5L, 1986 Pontiac Fiero Sport 2.8L (Archie Wide Body... In Progress... For a long time...)
Patrick OCT 14, 02:02 PM

quote
Originally posted by BitStream:

I have purchased new battery cable connections to replace the existing ones to see where that takes us.



Have you installed them?

I suspect one or both of the battery cables are providing a poor connection to the starter and/or ground.
BitStream OCT 14, 02:08 PM
Thanks for the reply Patrick.

I am going to replace the ends today. If no luck there, then I do have some heavy gauge battery cable wire left over from a trailer project that I am going to use to make some new cables and see where we go from there.

I will keep you advised.

Ervin.
theogre OCT 14, 07:18 PM

quote
Originally posted by BitStream:
I have purchased new battery cable connections to replace the existing ones to see where that takes us.

Battery connectors are crap most times and you installing them often creates more problems even thru might work short term.

"heavy" cables often are junk too and any Cables can be bad even when they "look good" to you.
most users have no clue wire size and Length determent Amps a wire will handle.

Use ACdelco cables made for your car. Do Not buy others w/ lead battery ends for side term batteries. Many w/ lead ends for Top Term batteries are crap too.
Factory crimp ends are far better then most installed by DIY and most auto shops. "4 awg" for length used here handle several times amps used by a starter. (Think is really Metric size wire ~ = 4 awg.)

ACDelco cables does Not need you to tighten the battery ends w/ a lot of torque. Is Why many sell very small 5/16" "battery wrenches" you use w/ your fingers. Aftermarket Lead ends often warp etc and make a crap connection no matter how you tighten the bolt.

See my Cave, Wire Service for Battery Cables

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave