Here is a mystery to be solved. Yesterday, I get out my '68 Wildcat to put it into storage. I start it up and all is fine. Then I hear a steady, high pitched whine coming from somewhere beneath or around the air cleaner area. I try to shut the car off, but the key does nothing in any position-the key still turns, but the car won't shut off! Finally, after a few minutes, the car stalls and then it won't start. I tried the key and all I get is indicator lights. I arranged for a tow, a garage to take it to and then try it again in a few minutes and the car starts fine. I try it several more times and the only difference is, a couple of times the key does the turn and nothing happens bit, but as soon as I try again it starts. Any ideas as to what is going on here? Ignition issues? o No: At any rate, I got it stored so I won't have to contend with it until spring. But I'm curious as to what the probem may be. David
I once had a similar problem with a 74 Camaro, the starter didn't disengage. It didn't stall, though; I pulled the coil wire (ouch) and tried to disconnect the battery as fast as I could. On mine it turned out the solinoid had gone bad, keeping the starter motor engaged. The way I figured it out was to drop the starter, hook it to a charger, and use a screwdriver to engage the solinoid - after removing the screwdriver the starter kept turning. That high-pitched whine might have been your starter motor, which probably overheated (thus wouldn't turn again for a while). This theory doesn't seem to explain why it stalled, however, and I'm sure there are other possibilities.
If you have a hy-fire ignition hooked up without the diode, etc. that may acount for wierd things happening with the ignition (such as not shutting off). If not I would look at the starter too.
I had this on my '66 - theres a kinda booster circuit which runs only when the starter motor is turning. The relay for this sticks and the extra voltage is there the whole time, even when you turn the key right off. I'm not great with electrics - my local auto electrician sorted mine, theres a relay that needs replacing and IIRC its down under the passenger side exhaust manifold. (At elast thats where the electrician spent most of his time swearing away!!!) HTH
Thanks for all your input, everyone. I knew there had to be an explanation Now at least I know where to start looking (actually where to tell my mechanic to look!) David
Solenoid Sounds like a starter solenoid to me. Long as you gotta drop the starter, replace the brushes and the drive gear too. A perfect winter project! :laugh:
