Re: IML: starting problem

[RandalPark@xxxxxxx]

Welcome to the world of driving old cars. 

You can be assured that once you begin to learn to trouble shoot your Imperial, and prepare for things that mnight go wroing, you will rarely get stuck. It sounds like you are still relying on the previous owner's abilities to keep the car running, and to do what it takes to make it dependable. Once you have done a few things yourself, you will know what has been fixed, and what hasn't. You will also have an idea of where to look when certain symptoms occur. 

Don't be too discouraged, but do study your Factory Service Manual. Read the Service Diagnosis section of every chapter over and over. Once you have done that, and had a few experiences like today, you will not be so fearful of driving your Imperial. Due to its simplicity (i.e. points ignition, non computerized components, non-ABS brakes, standard non-fuel injected carb) there is very little that will keep you from getting home with your Imperial if it does quit on a drive. The trouble is, many shops these days don't know what to do. If they can't hook it up to as phone line to find out what is wrong, they are stumped. That is why most of us old car freaks learn hwo to work on them ourselves.

Paul

In an email dated Sat, 22 1 2005 7:16:34 pm GMT, "kenneth chilto" <acorn2@xxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:

>we thought today was going to be a good day , the first chance to drive our 57crown legally on the ?public highway.what fun we were going ?to have,
> ?we pulled over just to admire the scenery and switched the engine off .when we decided to set off again i turned the key pressed the starter , yes you,ve guessed it ?nothing ? not a murmer , ?no sign of life .
>the lights and other things were active ?but nothiing on the starter side,
>
>i can assure panic you had replaced pleasure as i had no idea where to look for the problem nor any tools in the [boot] ,but hey is that a garage across the road. the garage chappie came out with a few tools ? got underneath ?to check the starter, every thing ?ok no wires off ?, but somehow no power to starter on one of the wires to it. ? ? he then put his tester on what he said was the solenoid ?and asked me to try starting ?the car ,it made ?a horrable clanking sound as attempted to start the engine ?and at the third attempt it started and ran smoothly.
>he told me to drive it round to inside of the workshops ?and. park it which i did, after stopping the engine, i tried to start it again but all i got was a " clicking " sound from underneath the [bonnet] .
>i dont know what the problem could be , but i am asking for positive advice and suggestions ,and if it is either a starter or solenoid ?problem are these parts available. ? ps ?i could with a wiring diagram ?if any has a photo copy.
> It dosnt make driving the car pleasurable if all we are doing is wondering what next is going to go wrong with it
> kind regards
>ken/annette ? ?UK
>


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