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Topic: Wont start?

in Forum: C3 Electrical

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Wont start?

Posted: 5/28/09 7:02pm Message 1 of 19
williammoore2
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Mundelein, IL - USA
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Vette(s): 1978 25 anniversary blue on blue with T-tops.
I removed the radio to see if there was some sortof wire issue. Now I cant get it to start. I am at a complete loss, I only removed the bloody radio is there some soprtof fuse that is not visible. I checked all the fuses in the pannel and none are broke. I turn the ignition and get nothin. I made sure in parkl and the battery has charge but its not even cranking?


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Wont start?

Posted: 5/28/09 8:10pm Message 2 of 19
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Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

When you turn the key on, do any of the lights on the dash come on, or is it like the battery is completely disconnected, and NOTHING works(headlights/horn/etc)?
IF the only issue is the car will not crank, since you did remove the radio, and that involves moving stuff around in the console area, I'd think you may have unknowingly unplugged the neutral safety switch on the shifter, or otherwise moved the connector on it.
Have you tried starting it in other gear positions?



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Wont start?

Posted: 5/28/09 8:20pm Message 3 of 19
williammoore2
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Mundelein, IL - USA
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Yep I attempted to start in neutral and park nothin happens. I have lights that come on when in accessory position but soon as I turn the key it seems all power is gone. Battery is startin to run low now too. Took a ohm meter to all fuses in pannel and they are fine. All I get is a click when I turn the key. williammoore22009-05-28 20:20:38


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Wont start?

Posted: 5/28/09 8:24pm Message 4 of 19
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
That sounds more like a bad battery cable connection, either power or ground side...


Joel Adams
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Wont start?

Posted: 5/29/09 2:45pm Message 5 of 19
williammoore2
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Vette(s): 1978 25 anniversary blue on blue with T-tops.
Ended up being a bad battery. Would not hold a charge. lights and such worked but could not get it to jump. Ended up with same issue with radio need to get to radio shack. I also see that it feels like a loss of power somewhat. I have changed plugs and the Control modual on the distributor. The control modual was not a performance one, but it was all they had. Could it be the modual or the plug wire gap? seems to be running a little hotter too. What is the correct gap and what is the best plugs to use. I think I got AC Delco.


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Wont start?

Posted: 5/31/09 6:06pm Message 6 of 19
williammoore2
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Mundelein, IL - USA
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Vette(s): 1978 25 anniversary blue on blue with T-tops.

Well worked on the car some more today...New headers and exhaust. After we were done and went to start it up same issue. I had no power from the ignition. The steering colum was rebuilt 3or 4 weeks ago.I have only had this issue since this has been done.We were able to start it up at the starter with a screw driver jumpered between the 2 terminals. Any idea if it is the ignition switch or could it be in the hardware on the colum? Thanks for any info.

Will




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"Drive it like you stole it"

Wont start?

Posted: 5/31/09 8:23pm Message 7 of 19
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
The ign switch on the column may need to be adjusted. It is held on with two screws, and it has slots to allow some fore/aft movement. Try moving it up, toward the steering wheel, and see if that helps.  


Joel Adams
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Wont start?

Posted: 6/1/09 6:44am Message 8 of 19
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dskopp
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Oak Creek, WI - USA
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Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
William,
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Wont start?

Posted: 6/1/09 6:48pm Message 9 of 19
williammoore2
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Mundelein, IL - USA
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Vette(s): 1978 25 anniversary blue on blue with T-tops.
I attempted the switch on the colum and I also used  my old switch but it was neither. So I am goin to plan c And goint to trace wires from the starter and see if there is a fuseable link in there some where.


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"Drive it like you stole it"

Wont start?

Posted: 6/1/09 8:25pm Message 10 of 19
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Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
If there was a fuse-link burnt, there would be other symptoms also, such as headlights that don't work, or the horn, or other electrical stuff that don't work.
Since you said you tried the original ign switch, did you try to start it just by pushing the little slotted slide on the switch itself, or did you actually install the switch, and then try to start with the key?
There may well be an issue with the rack/pinion in the column that the key cylinder moves to move the linkage to move the ign switch....does that make any sense at all???
Have you tried it with the wheel tilted in all positions?
There's either a problem with the column hardware, or a wiring issue that just happened to coincide with the column swap...



Joel Adams
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(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

in Forum: C3 Electrical


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