Help! Starter/Ignition Switch Problems?

[8UWITH6]

Hi guys, earlier this week my ttype started acting up. I usually turn the key on, let the pump prime, then crank when starting my cars. Last week I did this and went to crank it, and it wouldnt crank. No click, no noises, nothing. But when the key was on, everything worked, lights, radio, etc. Headlights didnt even dim when I hit the key? So, I took the starter wires off and cleaned them, put them back on, and it was fine for a few days. Then yesterday, it did it again. I ended up taping the starter from under the car while somebody turned the key to get it to start.

I came to the conclusion that it had something to do with the starter or starter soleniod. And I narrowed it down further to the soleniod because when the car wouldnt crank, there was NOTHING, not a click, anything. So.....soleniod right? Wrong, replaced it today, started it a few times, then let it sit for a while while I cleaned the geerage. Went to fire it up again........turned the key on, radio came on, pump primes, then bump it forward......NOTHING! WTF? So, my dad started messing with the key.....back and forth back and forth, etc, and it fired.

My question to you guys is how the heck do I check the ignition switch? I know the tilt columns have problems sometimes with wires shorting out. Is there anything I can do? Check voltages of certain wires, etc etc??? Also, could it be the starter???? I didnt replace the starter, just the soleniod. BTW, when the car cranks, it sounds just fine. Thanks in advance guys.

 

[WarpSpeed]

Just for fun, try rotating the collar on the steering column counter-clockwise, it's just in front of the dash(where an on-the-column shifter would be.) Then try starting the car at the same time.

 

[Red Regal T]

IF THAT DOESN'T WORK, LOWER THE COLUMN BY REMOVING THE TWO NUTS UNDERNEATH AND ON TOP OF THE COLUMN IS THE SWITCH. WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY IT PULLS A STEEL ROD TO IT THAT PULLS THE CONTACTS TO START. PULL THE PLUGS OFF THE SWITCH AND DO YOUR BEST TO CLEAN THE CONTACTS.

 

[FJM568]

Neil, I had the same problem at the track...Got to the line, started spooling to launch, and they shut us down due to debris on the track...turned engine off, and wouldn't start again Got pushed back off to the side and grabbed a hammer and smacked the starter a couple of times and fired right up...

Ended up taking the starter off and taking it to a place that rebuilds them...Had a dead spot on the armature...a new solenoid won't fix that problem...They have to machine the armature to do that...Costed more to have my old one rebuilt, but I feel it's better quality now than the rebuilt ones that you buy aftermarket(which I did try and promptly took it back off because it sounded extremely bad)...

Or you could go with one of the new mini-starters that fit our motors...

 

[8UWITH6]

I messed with the safety switch, jiggled the column, etc. Didnt help. So I checked the purple ignition wire under the dash, and it had power. After some thinking, I crawled under the car and had my dad hit the key while I had the DVOM on the starter post (not the soleniod post) and it had power too........tapped the starter and it fired up. So I replaced the starter today, works fine. BTW, Thanks Zak............