As my mechanic Massimo will be in Milan for the next three weeks I need to know if anyone has experienced 2 issues that began this moring out of the blue. 1st - the car will not start, it makes clicking sounds that seem to come from the rear engine bay. The battery is new and fully charged as even trying to jump it makes no difference. I suspect it may be the starter, but are there any relays that are tied to the starting of the car. I was able to take it for a spin by having my son push it in reverse and popping the clutch. It ran great but again will not start on its own. 2nd - my headlights will not open. I replaced the relay that is associated with it with no luck. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Otherwise I will need to wait 3 weeks to resolve these issues.

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Lambotsavy
Jalpa #ELA12100

Based on your description to me it sounds like an earthing issue, that is possible affecting both the starting of the car and the headlight operation, check and possible cleanup the connections at the battery and follow the leads and clean up and check the connections at the other end also, ie the stater moter connection. These cars do have lots of problems with the electrics and they do have a questionable earthing arrangement.
Mike

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Jalpa ELA12175

That sounds typical for a bad solenoid of the starter which doesn't release the magnetic pulley holder, try to knock onto the starter will starting when it runs then have the starter overhouled. As far as I know it's from Bosch and can be repaired at every Bosch dealership.

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RaymondQV
Countach QV Ex-Mimran #GLA12997, Urraco P300 #20530, Jalpa #FLA12203 sold in May 2006
www.countach.ch
www.jalpa.ch

When Frank Sinatra got his Miura S in 1970, he said: “If you wanna be someone, buy Ferrari - If you are someone, you own a Lamborghini”.

Thanks Mike and Raymond I will play with it in the morning and see what happens.

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Lambotsavy
Jalpa #ELA12100

1-
I would put my money on a bad ignition switch. I have had mine rebuilt twice and I still have problems with it.

In my car, the fuel pump runs and the "el-valve" clicks off and on, but the car will not start. I can tell you what the"'el-valve" is if you want, but it makes a click.... click..click... sound when you turn the key and it doesn't start. Are you getting dash lights, and the seatbelt warning sound? If the dash lights and sounds do not come on or go off when you turn the key, it could be the ignition switch.

My car will usually start if I keep wiggling and turning the key. The contacts get carbon build up on them. Turning the key several times seems to get things going sometimes.

Another quick check to find the problem is to jump the starter. If you take a piece of wire and jump the celenoid, it should start if the problem is not the starter. You would be by passing the celanoid and supplying current directly to the starter. This is a bit sketchy, and I would only do this if you know what I am talking about. My mechanic showed me this with the airbox out and it was simple to do. With the airbox in, it is hard to see and reach. Maybe try this as a last step before replacing a suspected bad starter? Like I said, simple, but you are toying with a lot of current.

2-
Did you make sure the contacts stayed in place when you replaced the relay. The conections tend to push out of place into the box if you take a relay in and out. I always take my pannel off and check conections when I remove and replace a relay. My car ALWAYS drops the conectors.

I hope some of this advice helps. Good luck!

Thanks Ohlgren,
Very helpful info as well. It was easy to get to my starter solenoid as I have removed the old carb boxes and air filter a month ago. It is indeed the starter solenoid. When i jumped it, it continues clicking and you can hear the clicking coming from the solenoid. I was also aware of the issues with the relays pushing their connection out of place, when several months ago my indicators and hazards did not function and I found that to be the cause.
Again many thanks to all.

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Lambotsavy
Jalpa #ELA12100

Mike,
I checked all connections and they seem fine. Thanks for the info.

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Lambotsavy
Jalpa #ELA12100

Raymond,
I am a little hesitant to tap on the starter, not knowing exactly where it should be tapped. Should it be tapped lightly or slightly on the harder side. Where on the starter should I tap and should I use a rubber mallet or a hammer. I know this sounds silly, but I do not want to make things worse. Again many thanks.

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Lambotsavy
Jalpa #ELA12100

Lambosavy,

In the past I used a regular old metal hammer. The starter on my girlfreind's car went out and the shop said tap it with a hammer. A light tap tap tap and it fired right up. It didn't take a lot on her car. Weird, but it works. The goal is to shake the internals of the starter a little bit. I tapped the housing roughly in the center with perfect results.

Raymond may have a more scientific explanation, but this was my experience.

Ohlgren

The solenoid is the small part of the Starter which controls the pulley, a slight tap onto this part will temporarly help but is not the cure.

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RaymondQV
Countach QV Ex-Mimran #GLA12997, Urraco P300 #20530, Jalpa #FLA12203 sold in May 2006
www.countach.ch
www.jalpa.ch

When Frank Sinatra got his Miura S in 1970, he said: “If you wanna be someone, buy Ferrari - If you are someone, you own a Lamborghini”.