Technical No power to starter motor

[tinyfiat]

1971 Fiat 500
I have an intermittent problem with the starter. Sometimes when I pull the starter lever, the dash lights dim but there is no noise and starter does not spin.
Battery is strong and just 1 month old.

Loose cable, voltage regulator problem, faulty starter?

 

[ZaphodB]

Check the basics before condemming the starter.... engine earth strap condition, then all connections on starter, alternator and battery.

 

[fiat500]

1971 Fiat 500
I have an intermittent problem with the starter. Sometimes when I pull the starter lever, the dash lights dim but there is no noise and starter does not spin.
Battery is strong and just 1 month old.

Loose cable, voltage regulator problem, faulty starter?

Possibly the cable to the starter has become slack or is stretched to a point where it's frayed. The lever is connected by a split-pin through the yoke of the cable; there is a choice of holes to use, but it's very fiddly to change hole. Using a wooden stick you could test if this is the issue. Make sure the car is in neutral gear, leave the ignition off, and from the back of the car, push the starter lever forwards. The starter should then turn. If not, try again pushing harder (handbrake on ). Even if the starter turns the engine won't as the ignition is off.

If no joy the starter is obviously faulty in some way, but it may be as simple as the switch with the lever which is activated by the cable. That switch is easily replaced or repaired, but you would still need the starter taken off the car.

 

[tinyfiat]

Thanks for the advice guys!
It's been a couple of weeks since I posted this thread and the car has started every time since then
The starter pull cable is taut so I don't think that's an issue. Dash lights came on and earth strap looks fine so I think the cabling is ok.
I think it's a problem within the starter itself, possibly something simple like a faulty switch.
If the problem returns I'll do some more debugging, hopefully it's just fixed itself.