"Per-Olof Litby" wrote in message
...
I made a post back in January about my non-starting Cobra (GM block,
original post at bottom) and received some responses. It's now spring time
and the problem has not fixed itself :-) so it's time to revisit it. I've
done some more troubleshooting and it indicates a more general electrical
problem.

I've found that the trim does NOT work either, and that as soon as I
switch on something, say the engine room blower, there is a significant
voltage drop - down to below 6V. The gauges don't power up fully and the
tachometer doesn't return to 0 when the ignition switch is put in the acc.
position.

Voltage drops to zero when I try to operate the trim or the starter, and
the trim solenoids don't click.

Also, there is no voltage on the IGN lead which goes from the ignition
switch to the tach. With the ignition switch in the start position, there
is only about 6V on the purple lead at the starter solenoid (which is
placed on the starter motor).

Battery is new and OK. I've checked all fuses I know of, and there is
power from the battery to the instrument panel (12V).

Any ideas? Grounding problem at the ignition switch?

/P O Litby


Billgran wrote:

Do not overlook the simple things such as the neutral safety switch
inside the control box or a disconnected yellow/red wire on the key
switch. I am assuming that the gauges power up with the key to ON and
that the trim works OK.
Bill Grannis
service manager

"Per-Olof Litby - Practice Mgr - Software, Central/North Europe -
Sun Microsystems" mailto in message ...
Greetings,
My Cobra engine won't start. Absolutely nothing happens when I
turn the ignition key - no click from the solenoid, and obviously
the starter doesn't crank. The battery is OK. Does this indicate
that the solenoid is shot?
I guess it theoretically could be the ignition switch but the
instruments come to life so I don't think that's it. What's the
easiest way to diagnose the solenoid?
thanks ahead,
/POL



Not the solenoid! Is a bad connection near the battery. Either bad battery
connection or bad cable or corrosion on a connector at the fuse, etc. Take
a meter and put one lead on the battery negative post and then when the
starter is engaged, go along the positive path from the battery and see
where the voltage drops. You can also take a reading from the Negative
battery post to the engine block to see if there is a bad ground path.