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Topic: Engine won't turn over ???

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Engine won't turn over ??? (1/27)
3/7/12 8:32am

68vet427
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macedon, NY - USA

Vette(s):
68 COUPE 454 HAS MOTION HOOD SCOOP, REVERSED GILLS ZL-1 FENDER FLARES AND MOTION REAR SPOILER, LEMAN'S GAS CAP, BUCKET HEADLIGHTS. CAN-AM FRONT RACING SPOILER. CHROME HOOKER HEADERS AND SIDE PIPES! 4 SPEED M20, LOOKS FAST STANDING STILL !!

Joined: 7/20/2006
Posts: 367

OK, so last night i put a new battery in the monster.

I'm all excited to finally hear it roar in the car for the first time!!

Turned the key and ....NOTHING...NADA..

I do have headlights and tail lights and a couple of interior lights.

No dash lights, I will see if i grounded those out.

But I get nothing from the starter.

No clicks , no rrr rrr rr.

I believe all my wires are connected to the starter correctly.

I am guessing something is not grounded correctly????

I will be checking all grounds tonight when i get home from work.

Can it be something besides a ground?

ps: the engine ran great on the dyno.

it has not been run since them.

454 /4 speed

thanks

Joe

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Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (2/27)
3/7/12 11:21am

Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

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

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20206

MAJOR bummer, Joe!!! Angry

Are you absotively certain the starter is wired correctly? The purple wire goes to the solenoid terminal closest to the engine block. I think I would first check that, and then jumper across the terminals to see if the starter will crank from underneath. If it does, then you'll need to back-trace the purple wire from the starter to the clutch/neutral safety switch, then to the ignition switch.

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Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (3/27)
3/7/12 11:45am

Joel,

i'm 99% sure its wired right.

i took a quick look at it last night and i think i remember the purple wire closest to the block.

i will check all wires to starter tonight along with jumping it.

i hope its something simple, and i'm sure it will be.

My neighbor will be helping , he has a meter so we will be checking with that also.

thanks,

Joe

Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (4/27)
3/7/12 11:53am

Adams' Apple

Put the volt meter on the purple wire, and see what it has with the key turned to "Start"...it should be battery voltage. Anything less may indicate a bad connection/ground. 0 volts indicates no power thru the ignition switch, thru the clutch/neutral safety switch, or a break in the wire somewheres.
Make sure the main ground from the chassis is bolted to the engine(pass side, by the mount). If this is loose, you would still have lights and such, but the starter would have no ground.

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Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (5/27)
3/7/12 12:15pm

Adams' Apple said: Put the volt meter on the purple wire, and see what it has with the key turned to "Start"...it should be battery voltage. Anything less may indicate a bad connection/ground. 0 volts indicates no power thru the ignition switch, thru the clutch/neutral safety switch, or a break in the wire somewheres.
Make sure the main ground from the chassis is bolted to the engine(pass side, by the mount). If this is loose, you would still have lights and such, but the starter would have no ground.

Joel,

sounds like good advice.

will check those out.

FYI, I have a brand new wiring through out the car, so hopefully no breaks.

Joe

Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (6/27)
3/7/12 8:30pm

Can you say duh ? Confused

Ok, so, all looked good at the starter, but the meter said no power was getting to it, plus we tried to jump it across.
Now we start to look at the ignition switch on the column.
Guess what, there wasnt anything plugged into it !!!!!
I never plugged the 2 connectors that go to it.
So , I plugged them in, still nothing, so then i looked to see if i had a clutch /neutral safety switch.. Yup, I did. But the switch I have did not match the plug on the wiring harness, so I bypassed the switch.
WA LAH, it wanted to turn over!! It started to make clicking sounds at the starter but wouldnt turn over.
Sounds to me like it may not be properly grounded. So I had to stop working on it at that point anyway and Tomorrow I will go thru all the grounds to be sure I have good contact.
I have a question on some loose connectors i need to find a new home for, but that will be a new thread.
Joe

Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (7/27)
3/8/12 10:42am

Adams' Apple

........

Can't say that's never happened to me, so.....

Keep us posted...a vid of the start-up wood be kewl, too. Big smile

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Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (8/27)
3/8/12 10:57am

Joel, i do plan on a video.

May try staring Friday nite if all goes quickly tonight.

Joe

Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (9/27)
3/8/12 5:17pm

dwright
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Victor, NY - USA

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Good luck Joe. I got my fingers crossed for ya.

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Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (10/27)
3/9/12 6:13am

OK, so last night i cleaned up the grounds.

Hooked up the battery, turned the key and still all i got was clicking noise.

I could hear the starter solienoid working . It did sound stronger than last time.

The starter did not turn. I turned the key about 4 5 times and then the solonoid just stopped working.

May be stuck?

I will try hitting the starter tonight while the key is turned. If that doesnt work

I think I am going to pull the starter off and have it checked. I bought it new from Advance Auto.

Any suggestions?

Help!!! I want to get this monster running.

Joe

Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (11/27)
3/9/12 7:41am

ebo

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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker

Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421

Can you see if it will engage to the flywheel manualy, most of mine have had to be shimed.

Is it a compact high torque style or original?

ebo

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Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (12/27)
3/9/12 7:49am

Original style, from Advance Auto.

I did not shim it when i put it on.

I was just talking to my neighbor a few minutes ago and that is one of the plans we are going to try.

We will also try turning the engine over by hand to see if that might engage the teeth better.? Along with beating the starter. (did i say beating??? thats what i want to do !!!!)

Any other suggestions will be helpful.

Thanks.

Joe

Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (13/27)
3/9/12 8:01am

yostusota
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York, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1969 daytona conv. all original 350 350 380 4 sp w/air..and hard top

Joined: 5/18/2010
Posts: 1518

Might want to try a shim kit or a real starter...I don't have much faith in much electrical parts from there..

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Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (14/27)
3/9/12 8:22am

Rich,

I'm going to try the shim first.

I really dont want to have to buy another starter, but if i have to i will.

Recomendations on what to buy if i do need one?

Joe

Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (15/27)
3/9/12 8:35am

yostusota
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York, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1969 daytona conv. all original 350 350 380 4 sp w/air..and hard top

Joined: 5/18/2010
Posts: 1518

I guess it depends on how much compression you put in that motor...I would like to see a high torque mini starter on it but they are expensive...but work...I've had ones from where you got yours and did several before I got one that worked for more than a month..or at all..

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Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (16/27)
3/9/12 9:06am

do you know the brand, where you got it from?

If i do have to buy one i would try to get it locally in Rochester ny.

I dont want to order one if i dont have to.

Are the ProForm high tourqe any good?

Joe

Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (17/27)
3/9/12 9:14am

yostusota
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York, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1969 daytona conv. all original 350 350 380 4 sp w/air..and hard top

Joined: 5/18/2010
Posts: 1518

I'm not to big on which brand...but look for one with 2 HP output...a local speed shop should be able to help out...not sure if advance sells one too...it won't be one of their rebuilt ones either if they have one available..shouldn't be that hard to find..I know Eastwood makes a good one though.

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Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (18/27)
3/9/12 10:26am

ebo

The one on my 383 stroker is a powermaster from summit racing.

ebo

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Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (19/27)
3/9/12 11:22am

danascar
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Germansville, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1974 Coupe 358ci 4 speed Black w/Medium Saddle interior w/79 custom leather seats. . 1999 C5 Convertible, 6 speed, Atomic orange, Oak interior.

Joined: 1/28/2010
Posts: 859

Installed a mini high torque starter in my small block...solved my starting problems. I agree with Ebo, check Summit, that's where I bought mine too.

http://www.summitracing.com/

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Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (20/27)
3/9/12 7:03pm

corvette440hp

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Joined: 7/2/2006
Posts: 8205

As my brothers mentioned, Powermaster is the way to go. You need to only engage the solinoid part to check the movement of the gear meshing into your flywheel. I had to shim mine to get the proper fitment.

|UPDATED|3/9/2012 7:03:44 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (21/27)
3/9/12 7:31pm

OK it wasnt the starter.
I had a new battery and it wasnt fully charged was 1 part.
I also had a very bad ground, engine to frame.
We charged the battery, and fixed the ground,and
WAH LA!!!

IT STARTED, once we got gas up to the carb.
Please see new thread , coming soon, for video's.
Thanks for all the help !!
Joe

Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (22/27)
3/9/12 8:23pm

Adams' Apple

Excellent news, Joe !!!

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Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (23/27)
3/9/12 9:00pm

thanks !
Be sure to catch the video !!

Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (24/27)
3/10/12 6:55am

lukesvette

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HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.

Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

Voltage is always a guuuud thing Joe!! Wink

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Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (25/27)
3/15/12 5:00pm

rick jay
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Liverpool, NY - USA

Vette(s):
72 coupe, 350 4 spd, modified motor, exhaust, tires & wheels. '91 ZR1, modified exhaust.

Joined: 1/21/2003
Posts: 82

Oh Man, Joe. That is one awesome lookin' Vette! Hope you have it done in time for the "Vettes at the Beach" show in Sylvan Beach this year. I'd love to see it in person.

Rick J

Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (26/27)
3/15/12 5:18pm

Rick,
thanks,
Amazing what a headache a bad ground and some unplugged wires can cause.
I am feeling much more comfortable with the electric portion of the car.
Joe.

ps, yes i plan on being at sylvan beach. Hope to meet you there.

Re: Engine won't turn over ??? (27/27)
3/15/12 5:37pm

ebo

Remember I'll be hosting a weekend sleep over at eboland for Vettes at the Beach!

Evil Smile ebo

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ebo

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