Delay in starting the engine

[Jim Haas]

The problem i am having is there is a delay when turning the key to start the engine.
1. Air temp 75 degrees the car starts right away.
2. Air temp is 60 degree there is a 2-3 second delay to start the engine.
3. Air temp is 45 degrees there is a 10 second delay to start the engine.
The colder the outside air the longer the delay.

Is there a connection between the air temp and starting the engine?

Could it be in the starter switch or starter?

Car has all new wire harness, battery is brand new 6 volt Optima, starter switch is original.

Opinions Please

[Phil Planck]

I would be happy if my cold engine started in 10 seconds

[Jim Haas]

I want to be clear about my use of the word delay.

I turn the key and absolutely nothing happens. The colder the air temp the longer the delay. So after several seconds the starter engages and the car starts right away.

[David Jones]

I would try bypassing the ignition switch by jumping from the main battery lead connection on the solenoid to the spade connection on the solenoid to prove it is not the solenoid but likely the ignition switch with a high resistance contact internally.

[John Brooks]

+1 with David.

Sound like a low voltage at the solenoid, causing it to take longer to engage the bendix and motor switch. After jumping from the spade to B+ at the starter, to eliminate the starter. I would put a relay between the switch and the starter solenoid. That solenoid draws allot of current, it the key switch is getting weak and developing some resistance slowing the solenoid, I would put in a relay, that may be a cheap option to keep it going. I also put a secondary momentary starter switch in the engine compartment next to the voltage regulator, to crank the engine from the back.

Works well for maintenance and cold starts, since you can operate the carburetor linkage and crank from the rear.

[Jim Haas]

Thanks as always to all on the forum

[Phil Planck]

Sorry Jim. Misunderstood the issue.

[Martin Benade]

I’ve seen a dirty battery connection act this way, where the hesitation is while the bad connection heats up and expands, and then starts.

[Mike Wilson]

I'd check all the connections from switch to battery to starter. The cold may be affecting the connections.

Mike

[David Nicholls]

Check that the Battery is fully charged.

[David Aronson]

One suggestion that has been missed so far. Move to a much warmer area that seldom falls below 70 degrees. Now where would that be. :>)

[Mark Roth]

Joe Leoni designed a relay that took the load off the ignition switch and mounted on the starter. Tony Eugenio had a better location - behind the ignition switch. I don’t think that either one is sold anymore. I have the Joe’s before and after wiring diagram at home but I’ll only be there next week. I’ll try to remember to post it then. It’s pretty simple. The hard part is finding a 6 volt relay and mounting it somewhere. Could zip tie it under the dash.

[David Jones]

The SSR or switch saver relay is simple enough to put together. It is easily retrofitted and incorporated in the ignition circuit. PM me if you want one as I have a spare I can part with. It is wired up and ready to connect with bullet connectors for stock wiring.
Fits easily behind the dash.

[Bob Forman]

John, the start switch in the engine compartment is a great idea. Can you explain the wiring for us non-EE's

[John Brooks]

Bob

Pretty simple system, you are taking battery B+ from the voltage regulator through a momentary switch to 50 on the starter solenoid. I use a piggy back spade on the new wire route it next to the B+ wire down to the starter, disconnect the female spade from the switch and put this new wire on the solenoid and then put the key wire spade on the new male . If you have a starter relay it just goes to the coil + side. I use a 12mm marine momentary push button switch.

You need a momentary switch, about 3 feet of 14-18 gauge stranded wire. a ring terminal, a female spade and a Double Piggy Back Spade Terminal and some heat shrink. You make a small bracket to hold the switch so you can mount it to the voltage regulator mount.

A ring terminal and short wire to the switch, wire from the switch with a female a piggyback spade with a male tap. Route the new wire next to the B+ wire to the starter. Put the spade on the starter solenoid terminal and the ignition spade on the new male,

When I build up starter bypass relay kits, I also to this on the power side of the relay coil. it works well and allows you to start the car from the back. Takes about an hour to build up and get under the car, you can stop by the shop Saturday after car club meeting and we can put one in.