'65 starting problem

**65 Fastback** · 05-30-2010, 02:12 PM

The car is dead when I turn the key (289 cu.in.). The battery is a couple of months old and takes a charge (I had it on Battery Tender when not in use). The other day when I started it, I noticed the amp meter needle was swinging back and forth maybe 1/16".
This morning when I tried starting her, she was totally dead (no lights...nothing). I'm leaning towards either the firewall mounted starter relay or the altenator itself. Maybe it was on its way out when the needle on the meter was swinging and didn't charge the battery. In order for everything to be out, won't a dead battery be the only cause? Thanks for your help!

**map351** · 05-30-2010, 03:51 PM

Sounds like a bad connection..

**fran** · 05-30-2010, 04:07 PM

You have a dead short somewhere. Most likely a pinched wire. Had the same problem once & that was what it was. Mine was under rad. support, a screw got one of the wires. Check around.

**65 Fastback** · 05-30-2010, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by fran

You have a dead short somewhere. Most likely a pinched wire. Had the same problem once & that was what it was. Mine was under rad. support, a screw got one of the wires. Check around.

It started the other day and now it won't. Sounds more like something burned out...I jumped the 2 terminals on the starter relay and nothing happened, maybe this is bad?

**somethingclever** · 05-30-2010, 05:05 PM

Did you jump the two posts on the starter solenoid with a 2ga wire and nothing happened?

If so, then sounds like a bad connection at the battery or the ground.

**65 Fastback** · 05-30-2010, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by somethingclever

Did you jump the two posts on the starter solenoid with a 2ga wire and nothing happened?

If so, then sounds like a bad connection at the battery or the ground.

I used a continunity tester and jumped the thick negative cable and starter posts and got a light (the battery is 100% charged), however when I jumped the 2 front terminals, nothing happened (I got a very faint spark on one terminal). Sounds like the circuitry inside is bad? Thanks.

**65 Fastback** · 05-31-2010, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by somethingclever

Did you jump the two posts on the starter solenoid with a 2ga wire and nothing happened?

If so, then sounds like a bad connection at the battery or the ground.

You're right. I found a slightly loose battery cable at the back of the batter disconnect knob. It was covered with the red boot and I didn't see it until I checked....cheap fix (free).....thanks!