[T3] car wouldnt start...then did...then wouldnt...then did

[TOASTEDT3@aol.com]

I got a call from Katie today saying the 71 Notch wouldnt start.  We've been 
having some sporatic starting problems ever since we ripped out the original 
carpet.  

The car will start and run perfectly most of the time, but one in every 30-40 
starts nothing'll happen.  This was the case when she left for work 
today....everything (but the gas gauge) was dead.

I tinkered around thinking it must be one of the wires run along the floor 
that was loose or had a bad connection or something like that.

Of the 2 wires I saw, one was attached to the tach and went back under the 
back seat and into the engine compartment.  The other (a red one) did the 
same thing, but I lost it when it went through the firewall.  It either 
changed colors and/or was fed into one of the stock wire wrapping devices 
that protects them.  Thinking (hoping) it was the red wire, I traced it up 
under the dash and it went into what I think is the blinker box assembly.  A 
little metal box part # 311 906 061  It's a 12V/10A 30/51 Bosch item that 
appears to be some sort of center for power?  one wire from it went to/came 
from the fuse box and had power (per a test light).  The fuse box also had 
power per the test light, but this wire that comes from the engine and runs 
along the floor didnt have power.   Seems like power goes into this little 
box, but doesnt come out.

As a last ditch effort I figured "lets jump it and see what happens" as soon 
as we had power hooked up and cranked, it started right up, one little push 
of the gas pedal and it caught.  No typical dead battery lag or anything.  
We've also  had no previous slow starting due to a weak battery.  

Thinking everything was ok, I disconnected the jumper cables and told Katie 
to check the blinkers and lights and stuff as it was getting a little dim 
out.  Blinkers didnt work.....the blinker arrow lights on the gas gauge light 
up, but dont blink and the blinker bulbs themselves on the fenders dont light 
up at all.  When she turned on the headlights the car immediuately died and 
once again would not even crank.  It was totally dead when the key was 
turned.  

So we jumped it again and tried the brakes.  Same thing happened.  The car 
immediately died as soon as the  brakes were applied.  I took off the tail 
light lenses and removed all the bulbs and jumped it again.  This time there 
was no effect when the brakes were applied so I followed Katie home and it 
ran fine.  When we got home, I had her try and restart it and it started 
right up like it usually does.  She also turned the headlights on with no 
problem.  The tail lights were still out so we didnt check those, but I was a 
little baffled.  Well ok,  A lot baffled.

I'm kind of stumped here.  I'll take a look through muir and the bentley 
tonight, but I'm not even sure where to really start.  I kind of have a hunch 
that it might be related to the previously mentioned part, but ideas of 
battery, voltage regulator, generator, ignition switch and starter also come 
to mind.

Any ideas....In case you arent familiar with the car it's a stock 71 
Notchback with a stock 1600 and stock fuel injection.

thanks

Matt & Katie

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