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Re: I really don't think its the starter Posted by SWEDECAR [Email] ![]() ![]() ![]() In Reply to: Re: I really don't think its the starter, MontereyAero ![]() |
Rigging up a light bulb like that can be a little bit misleading.
The reason for that is that it takes a lot less power to illuminate a light bulb than what it takes to flip the solenoid on to start position.
So if you have a voltage drop along the line somewhere from ignition switch out to starter solenoid, it might be enough juice to make the bulb shine but still not enough to trigger the solenoid and thus, not engaging the starter.
Saab had big problems with voltage drop to starter solenoid back before 1984 when the starter was located under the exhaust manifold.
As hotter the car got, as more the starter was failing to engage and cranking over the engine. This was due to that the ignition switch and wiring between the switch and solenoid was of a to weak nature not delivering enough "oomph" to trigger solenoid.
The fix was to install an extra starter relay on the left inner fender and feed that relay power straight from the battery to starter solenoid and have the ignition switch feed wire just trip the starter relay.
Some 9000 in early 90s had the same problem.
Sad to say, the 9-5 is a lot more intricate in its starter circuit scheme and the system is also depending on that your theft alarm computer is working properly.
So yes, that light bulb installed on solenoid wire at starter may shed some light (no pun intended) on the problem because if it doesn't light up when you have the no start condition, you might have a TWICE theft alarm computer problem that refuses to ground pin 85 on the starter relay.
If the bulb does light up, you might have a bad starter or a high voltage drop along the line from ignition switch, through gear selector switch, through starter relay out to starter solenoid.
Good luck
Anders
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