79 Corvette just died... Need help
08-27-2011, 06:10 PM
#1
Racer
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79 Corvette just died... Need help
Hi,
I just recently (less then a week ago) bought a 79 Corvette off a relative and it died today less then 2 minutes from home.
It happened to fast to really say what happened, it just no longer went and became hard to stear off the road.
It was suggested to me that the alternator went (the GEN light did come on).
Called my local autozone and they happened to have one, just finished swapping it out, and it doesn't want to turn over, tho the radio and such work... If the alternator went shouldn't the battery be dead?
I just gave it an oil change (with new oil filter as well), this morning because it's new to me. I double checked all that, everything seems fine in that aspect. It ran for almost an hour before it decided to quit running.
Thoughts? Things I should check. It sucks having a new car that I've driven all of 3 hours in total, now sitting.
I just recently (less then a week ago) bought a 79 Corvette off a relative and it died today less then 2 minutes from home.
It happened to fast to really say what happened, it just no longer went and became hard to stear off the road.
It was suggested to me that the alternator went (the GEN light did come on).
Called my local autozone and they happened to have one, just finished swapping it out, and it doesn't want to turn over, tho the radio and such work... If the alternator went shouldn't the battery be dead?
I just gave it an oil change (with new oil filter as well), this morning because it's new to me. I double checked all that, everything seems fine in that aspect. It ran for almost an hour before it decided to quit running.
Thoughts? Things I should check. It sucks having a new car that I've driven all of 3 hours in total, now sitting.
08-27-2011, 06:19 PM
#3
It sounds like the battery is dead, try boosting it or if necessary replace it. The alternator light came on because the engine died. You should have had the autozone store check your old alternator before replacing it. It takes very little power to run a radio, a starter needs a lot more. Good luck.
08-27-2011, 06:20 PM
#4
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Engine suddenly turning off normally indicates the ignition module. It's good to carry a spare ignition module. So are you are charging the battery now?
08-27-2011, 06:23 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
check your main ground wire FIRST.... actually just replace it and be done with it....
08-27-2011, 06:27 PM
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Does it click or make any noise when you try to start it?
A quick and easy check is to pull the headlamps on and have someone watch them, then try to start it.. if they go out it's a pretty good bet the battery is done. The battery may have enough to power the radio but not enough to start or crank over the car.
Post back with your findings.. if the battery is not bad then you'll need to check other things.
A quick and easy check is to pull the headlamps on and have someone watch them, then try to start it.. if they go out it's a pretty good bet the battery is done. The battery may have enough to power the radio but not enough to start or crank over the car.
Post back with your findings.. if the battery is not bad then you'll need to check other things.
08-27-2011, 06:29 PM
#7
Safety Car
Your going to have to have the alt checked then after thats figured out the battery is going to need charged.
After all that then you can check everything else like the module.
But do check for gas in the tank.
After all that then you can check everything else like the module.
But do check for gas in the tank.
08-27-2011, 07:35 PM
#8
Racer
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Does it click or make any noise when you try to start it?
A quick and easy check is to pull the headlamps on and have someone watch them, then try to start it.. if they go out it's a pretty good bet the battery is done. The battery may have enough to power the radio but not enough to start or crank over the car.
Post back with your findings.. if the battery is not bad then you'll need to check other things.
A quick and easy check is to pull the headlamps on and have someone watch them, then try to start it.. if they go out it's a pretty good bet the battery is done. The battery may have enough to power the radio but not enough to start or crank over the car.
Post back with your findings.. if the battery is not bad then you'll need to check other things.
@Whoever mentioned going to autozone to test the alt'
Yea, I found this information out after I already made the swap.. The guy tested it and it ran but was very touchy, the feed to the battery if it moved would cut out so I don't mind the fact I replaced it. They're charging the battery right now ... fingers crossed. I'll let you know what happens from here. Thanks for the input thus far guys
08-27-2011, 09:21 PM
#10
Racer
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*****UPDATE*****
Well I have a new Alt and Battery and it still doesn't want to turn over.
It's thought that maybe it needs a new starter, and maybe it's dying out was something to do with the choke or carb? Thoughts?
Well I have a new Alt and Battery and it still doesn't want to turn over.
It's thought that maybe it needs a new starter, and maybe it's dying out was something to do with the choke or carb? Thoughts?
08-27-2011, 09:47 PM
#12
Le Mans Master
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Scott
08-28-2011, 09:03 AM
#17
Just to confirm.. When you say "doesn't want to turn over" - is the engine cranking? or do you mean it won't start when cranking?
08-28-2011, 10:55 AM
#20
Manual tranny? May try pushing it and popping the clutch to see if you can start it? Sounds like ground problem as someone stated earlier if your battery is fully charged