Premature Starter Engagement

[rmstirm]

On September 11th of this year, after selling it 16 years ago, I bought back my first '71 Opel GT that I bought while I was in high school in 1978. I restored it over the years (body and complete engine rebuild). I recently encountered a problem that I never experienced before, after having driven it several times without any problems. When I turned the key to start the car the other day, the starter engaged before the key was in the start position. I went ahead and drove the car a few miles down the road and all of a sudden the starter solenoid started engaging the starter while I was driving! Of course the noise was awful and the ammeter gage pegged in the negative zone. After several seconds of engagement, the starter kicked back off. I turned around and drove back home. After leaving the car idle for a couple of minutes while checking under the hood, I proceeded to drive it back into the garage. Much to my surprise, it would not go into first gear! So I am wondering if the starter engagement occurance had anything to do with it now not wanting to go into first gear! I was planning to install a 30 amp Radio Shack relay to protect the ignition switch, but hadn't got to it yet. On my other GT, a 1970, I had already installed a reply to protect the original ignition switch. I am thinking about having OGTS recondition the switch on the '71. I am selling the '70 GT. So is my ignition switch on my 'new' '71 Gt starting to go out? Any ideas on the gear engagement problem? Sorry this is long, but I would appreciate some advice from you guys out there. Happy Turkey Day
Thanks,
Randy '70 and '71 Opel GT (black and red)

[GTJIM]

Sounds very much like your key switch has "gone south" and is short circuiting allowing electricity in to the starter solenoid circuit.
There is a thread somewhere on here by "nobody" outlining how he repaired his switch - though OGTS will do the job for you on an exchange basis.
http://www.opelgt.com/forums/showthr...starter+switch
Get that solenoid onto the other car NOW!

[lezliewk]

Randy I have that steering colum with key switch out of the parts opel,Just a thought.

[rmstirm]

Paul,

Thanks. I'll probably pick up that column sometime. As for my red Opel, I will have to do some inspecting to see if I damaged the flywheel or clutch when the starter engaged by itself! I'll give you a call when I can.

Randy

[rmstirm]

SOUNDS LIKE A JOB FOR OGTS

Jim,
Thanks for the link to "Nobodys" post. I'll probably end up taking the ignition switch out of my 71 GT and sending it to OGTS. I recently bought a steering wheel puller from Unitool (item # UT7404) from a post I saw before on the forum. I know I'll have to remove the steering wheel to get to the switch. I'll have to investigate why I can't get my GT in first gear with the car running. I hope I didn't damage the clutch with the starter prematurely engaged!

Randy

[asdasc]

I can't think of anything that would connect the two issues. How does the clutch pedel feel? Normal? Can you get it in and out of first gear with the engine off? Can you get it into 2nd gear with the engine running? Any other clues you can give us will help solve the puzzle!
Thanks,