The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Hard start saga continues...

For those that don't remember or didn't read, I've been having random hard starting problems the last couple months. Not a slow starter just randomly cranks and no fire. Does it when warm and cold. Think I stumbled on something but, not sure what to do.
Today, she fired right up for the drive to work. After sitting for a few hours I went out to start and she only cranked. I decided to see what would happen with a screwdriver on the starter. Turned the ignition on, screwdriver on starter and she fired right up.
So, anyone know of probable causes or what might be going on?
-David

Maybe try cleaning all the wires on the starter.

Mugsy, do you have the crank circut on the key? If so check the switch. The ignition circut could be failing in the crank position. I would also check all wires starting from the battery to the starter. Don't forget to check the grounds, they are as nessary as power. Mike

Sloemoe, you mean starter engages as key is turned as opposed to older trucks with foot starter or a vehicle with a remote starter switch?

Just read your post again, sorry, I just woke up. Yep, it's key and ignition switch. I thought about changing ignition switch a month or two ago when I rolled up to a stop sign and lost all electrical and then motor petered out. 5 minutes later I had power and she started. It hasn't done that since but, I had a few of these hard starts before it happened and more frquently as of late.

Sometimes the hot wire on the back of the ign.switch gets burnt.

OK, started digging into things yesterday and just finished up this morning. First thing I noticed was a couple bare wire spots on the purple ignition wire a few inches from the "S" terminal on starter. Wire was long enough to cut the bad part and splice new connector. Next I found the plug connector on firewall for ignition wire, temp. wire, etc. fairly corroded. Cleaned both sides of plug. Cleaned all connections, installed #2 gauge battery cables and installed new ignition switch.
If I still get the hard starts, gonna have a look at the starter solenoid. And if still, the dizzy's comin' out and new one goin' in (it's still under warranty).
-David