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Starter Motor Wont Engage - Fixed

Discussion in '308/328' started by 328GTB, Oct 15, 2023.

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  1. 328GTB

    328GTB Formula Junior

    Jun 4, 2002
    305
    Texas, USA
    Full Name:
    Carmine
    #1 328GTB, Oct 15, 2023
    Over the past few months, the starter on my 86 US 328 would fail to engage on multiple occasions. The issue was predominantly during cold starts. This weekend I installed a new starter and the issue remained.


    Then I noticed the wire harness connectors under the upper hose to the oil cooler were bathed in oil. After a thorough clean using CRC electronic cleaner, the engine starts on the first crank.

    Now some questions (see attached photos):
    Is the 15 pin connector #169 from Fig 1 in the wiring diagram?
    What is the other 6 pin connector?
    Apart from the obvious, any suggestion on keeping the connectors dry?

    Thanks,
    Carmine

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  2. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,790
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #2 Steve Magnusson, Oct 15, 2023
    Yes, I believe so. 169 is also shown in Fig 2 with more pins. (However, they did a terrible job IMO by not showing the true number of pin positions for all the connectors whenever they appear.)

    I believe that is connector 171 in Fig 3 (for the flywheel sensors). Does it only have 4 of the 6 pin positions used?
     
  3. 328GTB

    328GTB Formula Junior

    Jun 4, 2002
    305
    Texas, USA
    Full Name:
    Carmine
    #3 328GTB, Oct 15, 2023
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2023
    Yes. Only 4 pins are used.

    BTW. I guess engine oil becomes an insulator creating a poor connection.
     
  4. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,790
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #4 Steve Magnusson, Oct 15, 2023
    Then 171 almost for sure.

    Conveying the 10A~20A it takes to engage the solenoid also can degrade/oxidize those terminal pins/sockets. Certainly keeping it clean is a must, but just unplugging/replugging it to "rewipe" the connection occasionally can provide some improvement.
     
  5. DGS

    DGS Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    May 27, 2003
    71,862
    MidTN
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    DGS
    #5 DGS, Oct 16, 2023
    Is your oil cooler leaking oil?
     
  6. 328GTB

    328GTB Formula Junior

    Jun 4, 2002
    305
    Texas, USA
    Full Name:
    Carmine
    #6 328GTB, Oct 18, 2023
    Effectively, yes. I get a drop now and then. It's hard to make a good seal.
     

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