In a message dated 6/16/2003 11:33:02 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
lors01@msn.com writes:

> Hi Guys,
>  > Help me diagnose a starter problem, please.
>  > Push the starter button and the separate (on the firewall) contactor goes
>  > "click", but the starter does not engage (power up) to turn the engine.
>  > Repeat action 1-3 times and eventually the little cranker does its work.
>  > All ideas appreciated!
>  > Tommy James<><
>  
>  You've already gotten good advice on the starter problem Tommy, but why the
>  separate contactor?  Another unnecessary part to go bad, more connections,
>  and excess weight to carry.
>  
>  Simplify! Simplify!
>  
>  Tracy
>  
Sounds like dirty contactors in the solenoid. The click is the solenoid
latching up. It is just a big switch to carry 80 to 120 amps to the starter. Since
it starts most of the time, the starter is probably OK. Just operating the
solenoid many times my clean it up enough. Otherwise, almost any early ford
starter solenoid will work just fine. Cost about $7.00 at the parts store. If there
is also a solenoid on the starter, you may not need two of them in series.
Many starters with inertia Bendix have remote solenoids.
Lynn E. Hanover