1972 ford capri 1600 won’t start, any help much appreciated

[FordCapri72]

Hi guys/girls my ford capri 1600 4 cylinder won’t start, not sure where to connect wires, all the wires are connected and it goes click when I turn the key to start it,I have got interior light, reds, radio and front lights all work but just won’t start, wondering if anyone has got a capri 1600 and if I could have a pic of the wires In the engine bay or if anyone has got a diagram that would be much appreciated,
Thanks 😊

[MDS69]

Was it running before. Is the battery fully charged.

[Capriman]

I've cropped the wiring diagram for the 1600GT which should be the same as your '72 XL?

You could have a suspect solenoid on the starter motor, but I'm no expert!

Sorry the diagram is so small but that's the largest I can post.

[FordCapri72]

Hi capriman thanks for that, yeah it’s a 1600 xl

[FordCapri72]

Hi mds69 yeah it’s got a brand new battery and the motor was running before

[Captain Stubing]

Does the starter motor work? You'll need a multimeter to test voltages at the solenoid, and the starter motor.

A small amount of power to the solenoid provides a lot of power to the starter, through the solenoid.

[FordCapri72]

hi swanny yeah the starter motor works

[GXA]

Does it turn over?
How long since it last ran?
Has the distrib been removed/replaced?
Is there spark at the plugs?
Is the timing correct?
Is there fuel at the carb?
Is fuel getting to the cylinders?
How old is the fuel?

[arronm]

I had a 78 escort. One day a small wire came of at the + battery terminal and the car stopped. Wouldn't start until I reconnected the wire. cant really remember exactly . It was 40 years ago.

[arronm]

Check the coil wiring.

[Fed]

This is like pulling teeth, anyway onward & upward.

it goes click when I turn the key to start it

This sort of says that the starter motor is not cranking the engine over.

yeah the starter motor works

Does this mean it used to work or it does crank the engine over?

Cranking is different to the engine actually starting.

All my old Escorts had bendix starters and sneaky contacts in the solenoids to by-pass the coil ballast, do you know what your's has?

Anything you don't know how to answer just ask.

[FordCapri72]

Hi mate sorry for the late reply mine hasn’t got a solinoid on the starter motor mine seperate, it used to turn the engine

[chappy60]

If its a manual put in 4th and rock the car the starter could be jammed in the ring gear
had it happen to me a few times

[superyob]

Get the battery load tested. A click can indicate a sad battery...

[Fed]

Originally Posted by FordCapri72

Hi mate sorry for the late reply mine hasn’t got a solinoid on the starter motor mine seperate, it used to turn the engine

No soup for you, NEXT!

[falconhell74]

NOTE; 12v is loosely termed as battery voltage - easier to wright multiple times

If it hasn't got a solenoid on the starter then there will be a standalone one
follow the battery pos+ cable till you find were its mounted and give it a tap and see if it starts.
if not-
If you have a multimeter check if you have 12 volts to the small wire on the solenoid when cranking , there should be 4 wires to the solenoid 2 x battery pos + power in and out.
2 x small wire 1 x exciter 12v from key which pulls in the solenoid allowing the battery pos + to "flow" through the solenoid when cranking.
1 X small wire to earth or battery neg - .
Note some standalone solenoids are earthed through the mounting and will only have 1 x small wire = exiter wire 12v from key

if you have 12v to exiter wire then you should get 12v coming out of solenoid to starter motor .
if not then solenoid is U/S and replace .
If you are getting less than 12v to exiter wire then you can fit a relay in line to boost the voltage .
If you are getting no voltage to exiter wire you will need to back trace exiter wire to find out ware you are loosing power.

if you have 12v coming out of solenoid then remove starter and bench test by neg -jumper cable to body of starter and pos + jumper cable to pos + lead pole
Note if the starter is good it will jump when it spins.
You need to watch the sprocket at the end to make sure it throws out and spins as if it only does one its U/S



Hope this helps

[esky]

For whats its worth I have a 1600 powered Mk 1 esky, for 4 years had trouble starting if left for more than a week or so, tried all the usual ,new battery solenoid new starter motor various advice from those lot more savy than me. Auto electrican tried various fixes then recalled had problems similiar with first corollas, fixed by putting a relay to the starter motor, tried it and problem solved. Starts every time now, a cheap easy try