Starting Issues

[wlkelley3]

OK experts, I need guidance. I'm finishing up the restoration of my 70 Opel GT. It's all original, including points in the distributor except for a rebuilt Weber 32/36 DGV replacing the original Solex. Turned the key for the first time last night and everything seemed normal. mechanical fuel pump got fuel to the carb, can see fuel in the barrels but didn't start. worked on it today and still wouldn't start but turned over normally. Just like it should. Then something weird happened after letting it sit for a couple minutes. truned the key to the "run" position and the tach jumps and settles at 3000 rpm (hmmn, that's strange) turned the key further to "start" position and tach moves down to 1500 rpm (huh?) and the motor wouldn't turn over. Talked with a friend and he gave me the specs to test the coil (original Bosch). Ohms at >2 ohms at the pos to neg terminal and 8K from side to center. That's about what he said it shoud be. Next I tried jumping the starter but all that happened is a large current draw but still not turning. New battery on a charger w/ >12-volts tested. Points working, at least the distributor is turning and the points are opening. I initially thought bad coil but now I'm leaning to bad starter solenoid, maybe both. I've never heard of this happening before and it's throwing me for a loop. Coil is optainable locally, starter isn't, have to order it and ship the old one for core. Can I just get a solenoid? If so, where? I know I'm pushing a deadline, my local club is holding it's annual EuroBrit car show Saturday and I'd like to debut the car there, that is if I can get it started. Any ideas as what this is? coil or starter?

[wrench459]

Coil current is around four amps.
The best way to burn out an ignition switch is with a shorted solenoid.
Look into Ottos fix.

[tekenaar]

More likely your starter solenoid than the coil . . . a word of caution about starters and solenoids. Opel used both Bosch and Delco starters over the years, so you need to determine which one yours is because the solenoids are unique to each brand . . . mount differently.

This is only an issue if you're just replacing the solenoid, i.e. you have to tell parts man if Bosch or Delco! Obviously, not a problem if replacing the whole starter . . . either works fine!

[wlkelley3]

Thanks Tekenaar, that's what I thought it would be. I talked with Harold about it last night. He told me about the 2 brands of starters, I believe I have a Bosch but will double check before I get one.

Wrench459, did I forget to mention that I built one using instructions from OGTS and have it installed?