Hey everyone, I got a 1979 242 GT a few months ago and in the past month it's had a starting issue. I'll try to be as detailed as possible.
So normally the car starts up right away and runs fine, it has never stalled while running. This problem seems to happen about once a week. After initial startup and driving a few kms I'll turn off the car to get gas, go to store, etc. come back to car and it will not start (not every time though). It will turn over strongly but engine won't engage. Each time I've let the car sit for 20-30 min. and it will start-up instantly. It has never happened with the car sitting for a few hours, only when it's been run, shut off repeatedly in a short time frame.
The last time this happened I was parked at the top of a hill and was able to get the car rolling enough to try and pop the clutch but even then it would not start. The plugs and wires have been done in the past 15,000kms, and the problem has occured both with a full gas tank and nearly empty gas tank. Any help is definitley appreciated, I don't like how each time I start my car it's like russian roulette...
And if you could give me as much detail as possible with the troubleshooting , I do work on cars...but I'm definitely a noob.

 

Solenoid too hot? Any who this is what i got from this weird auto diagnostic cd.

 

If the starter solenoid was bad, the car would have started when rolled down hill. A bad fuel pump relay will do what you're describing.

 

Problem solved!!! So I checked the cold start valve, and thermo-time switch and both of those were fine. Next on the list was the fuel pump relay...and for $50 it fixed the problem. She fires up instantly every time, so nice. Thanks swiftjustice44.

 

no problemo! Lots of folks repair their fuel pump relays. If you carefully remove the case and study the solder joints often you'll see a solder joint that has cracked and causing either an open circuit or intermittent contact as it heats up. You can heat up the old solder and remove it with a solder mop. Then resolder. I do like you...I buy a new one! Still, I always have a good, used spare in the glove box. I also carry an extra overdrive relay as they always seem to go out on long trips.