The '74 Jaguar that I am working on won't start. It has a relay on the firewall that powers the starter solenoid (GM starter, Chevy engine) when the key is turned on.
The original relay appeared to be dead...the wire powering the starter solenoid never showed any power going to it when the key was switched on. Jumpering the power wire on the relay to the starter energizer wire next to it resulted in the engine turning over normally without even turning the key. I replaced it with a unit from NAPA that some people on a Jag board told me was a better choice. It is wired correctly. The power wire feeding it shows a constant 12+ volts, and the battery shows 12.3 volts at rest. However, the wire feeding the starter shows only 10.6 volts at the relay when the key is switched on. Furthermore, using a jumper wire on the stud on the solenoid that holds the power wire, it shows that I have only 2.7 volts when the key is turned on. The result of all this is that trying to start the car yields only a clicking noise. Resistance from the starter's power wire at the realy to its connection at the starter itself is about 1.3 Ohms.
Oh, and the people at NAPA load tested my battery and said that while a little low, it was good, and a trickle charge should be all it needs.
Any ideas?
The original relay appeared to be dead...the wire powering the starter solenoid never showed any power going to it when the key was switched on. Jumpering the power wire on the relay to the starter energizer wire next to it resulted in the engine turning over normally without even turning the key. I replaced it with a unit from NAPA that some people on a Jag board told me was a better choice. It is wired correctly. The power wire feeding it shows a constant 12+ volts, and the battery shows 12.3 volts at rest. However, the wire feeding the starter shows only 10.6 volts at the relay when the key is switched on. Furthermore, using a jumper wire on the stud on the solenoid that holds the power wire, it shows that I have only 2.7 volts when the key is turned on. The result of all this is that trying to start the car yields only a clicking noise. Resistance from the starter's power wire at the realy to its connection at the starter itself is about 1.3 Ohms.
Oh, and the people at NAPA load tested my battery and said that while a little low, it was good, and a trickle charge should be all it needs.
Any ideas?