Help! - my '67 won't start!
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
Help! - my '67 won't start!
Good evening...
Well, it was a nice afternoon so my wife and I went to the garage to take our '67 coupe for a ride.
No start!
We had the car out last night and everything was fine. No problems at all. The battery is new. We only bought the car two weeks ago and this is the first problem we've had. No hard starting issues before.
Here are the facts:
Lots of juice - headlights bright, radio works, windows zip up and down. But when I turn the key to the start position - Nothing! No starter motor clicking or anything at all.
The car is a 327/300hp. Powerglide.
I moved the shift selector from Park to Neutral and back, thinking it was maybe the neutral safety switch acting up. But to no avail. Still not start.
Any ideas on where I might start in diagnosing and fixing this problem?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Well, it was a nice afternoon so my wife and I went to the garage to take our '67 coupe for a ride.
No start!
We had the car out last night and everything was fine. No problems at all. The battery is new. We only bought the car two weeks ago and this is the first problem we've had. No hard starting issues before.
Here are the facts:
Lots of juice - headlights bright, radio works, windows zip up and down. But when I turn the key to the start position - Nothing! No starter motor clicking or anything at all.
The car is a 327/300hp. Powerglide.
I moved the shift selector from Park to Neutral and back, thinking it was maybe the neutral safety switch acting up. But to no avail. Still not start.
Any ideas on where I might start in diagnosing and fixing this problem?
Thanks in advance for your help.
#2
Team Owner
Member Since: Feb 2003
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Make sure the battery cable is tight on the starter
#3
Race Director
Check for loose firewall electrical connector. Common issue.
Since it's not turning over I'd bet you have a loose connection somewhere.
Check starter wiring to make sure it's tight. Check battery connections too.
Since it's not turning over I'd bet you have a loose connection somewhere.
Check starter wiring to make sure it's tight. Check battery connections too.
#4
Melting Slicks
Gary
#6
Team Owner
Time to crawl under and check the plug on your safety switch and make sure the rods still connected...
#8
Melting Slicks
#9
Check all you power connectioms...including the ground on block. After checking battery n ground n neutral switch connections, try jumping starter. Should be a simple find and fix, especially compared to today's cars when they don't start. Good luck.
#10
Instructor
Keep us informed, and maintain your spirits! You'll find the problem, which I'm betting is a loose wire at the starter, solenoid, or ballast. Do you have a wiring diagram?
First problem that cropped up after my purchase was greeted by my wife asking if the car was under warranty. Upon hearing no she said for what we paid for the car it should have a warranty. You're right dear. I'll make sure I get one on the next 45-yr old car we purchase.
First problem that cropped up after my purchase was greeted by my wife asking if the car was under warranty. Upon hearing no she said for what we paid for the car it should have a warranty. You're right dear. I'll make sure I get one on the next 45-yr old car we purchase.
#11
Race Director
Not so sure of this but electrical is not my strong suit. If continuity is lost at the bulkhead for the 14PPL lead between the ignition switch and the S terminal on the starter - it won't start right? But if the other bulkhead pins still have continuity, lights, windows, horns, etc would still work. If the big red wire loses continuity at the bulkhead - yeah I think that pretty much kills a lot of the car circuits. Guess I'll drink some more coffee and reflect on this some more.
#12
Team Owner
Ballast is bypassed during start.
Check for 12 V at starter solenoid connection (not sure which color it is on a '67 - perhaps violet) while somebody turns key to start; if nothing -- work backwards through wiring to ignition switch. If you have it then check out starter connections wiring and perhaps starter itself...
Check for 12 V at starter solenoid connection (not sure which color it is on a '67 - perhaps violet) while somebody turns key to start; if nothing -- work backwards through wiring to ignition switch. If you have it then check out starter connections wiring and perhaps starter itself...
#13
Le Mans Master
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Check your battery cables, both ends for clean tight connections and the insulated portions for swelling/corrosion issues.
#17
Melting Slicks
#19
Pro
Thread Starter
!!
Ballast is bypassed during start.
Check for 12 V at starter solenoid connection (not sure which color it is on a '67 - perhaps violet) while somebody turns key to start; if nothing -- work backwards through wiring to ignition switch. If you have it then check out starter connections wiring and perhaps starter itself...
Check for 12 V at starter solenoid connection (not sure which color it is on a '67 - perhaps violet) while somebody turns key to start; if nothing -- work backwards through wiring to ignition switch. If you have it then check out starter connections wiring and perhaps starter itself...
You got it pardner! It was the starter solenoid connection. I wrote down all the hints provided and one by one checked them out - battery cables, starter cables, wiring at the firewall connector, ignition switch, etc. Then I followed each wire and found that the purple starter solenoid wire had become disconnected at a connector behind the distributor. I pushed the connectors together and VOILA! She started right up!
Boy was I happy! I though I'd have to tow my new '67 to a shop to figure this mystery out. Trouble is I keep the car in an underground garage, and it would have been a PIA to get it towed out of there!
Once more- THANK YOU AGAIN and THIS FORUM ROCKS!!
Thanks everyone who provided ideas and clues to help me solve this puzzle!
#20
Safety Car
You will find, that these cars are pretty simple. With the guidance of this forum, about 90% of all the work can be accomplished (with enough time and the right tools) even by a knuckle head like me.
There is no satisfaction like sorting out a problem with your Classic Vette... unless, of course, its cruising down the road in the Vette you just sorted out!
There is no satisfaction like sorting out a problem with your Classic Vette... unless, of course, its cruising down the road in the Vette you just sorted out!