Boy, do I get a lot of questions about why my car won’t start. I just went through this problem with my 1969 Lincoln Continental a few days ago, and figured I would detail my process and hopefully help a few of you guys out working on your own cars.
My Lincoln sits a lot and has not been starting very well since I bought it a few months ago. I went to start it and heard the dreaded click-click of the solenoid going, but the starter not turning. I guess it’s time to start diagnosing.
My first suspect was the battery, so I disconnected it and put it on the charger. After a night of charging, I whipped out my battery tester, which is basically a volt meter with a resistor built it to put a load on the battery. I used a model from Harbor Freight.. cheap, but I don’t use it that often and it works.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90636
Well, the battery was marginal, so I replaced it just to be safe. The battery was in the car when I bought it, and was not marked as to when it was installed, so I could not determine the age. When in doubt, replace it !
The next step was to inspect the cables running from the battery to the solenoid, ground cable, and the cable from the solenoid to the starter. The battery cables were in good condition, but the cable from the solenoid to the starter had a huge rip in the insulation and the copper wires were corroded. This will prevent the stater from getting full power, and will make the starter crank slow, if at all. So off to the parts store to get a new cable. $4 later, I was under the car replacing the cable. While I was at the store, I picked up a new starter solenoid for $6 which is just cheap insurance. Since you can not open up the solenoid and inspect it, it’s easier just to replace if you don’t know the age.
After everything was replaced, I got in the car, and the old Lincoln fired right up. The start spun fast, and strong, just like new.
When you are done with all your repairs, it’s a good idea to protect your connectors with a battery terminal grease available at any auto parts store. The grease prevents corrosion and can be found in tube or spray form.
Kevin
Kevin,
I have a 69 continental as well and have been having sone starting problems. I have replaced all wires from battery to relay, relay to starter, battery to ground, the relay, battery, and the starter/solenoid unit. Starter works fine out of the vehicle, but not in the vehicle. Also, this starter requires a 2 wire connection and the original was just one wire?
Suggestions?
David
It really sounds like a solenoid issue since the starter works outside the vehicle. Check the solenoid wiring terminals, when I replaced mine the terminals were NOT the same as the old solenoid. More than likely you have a wire reversed.
Good Luck,
Kevin