C1 & C2 Corvettes General C1 Corvette & C2 Corvette Discussion, Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Project Builds, Restorations

Help! no start

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 25, 2020 | 03:16 PM
  #1  
lonzoo's Avatar
lonzoo
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 588
Likes: 41
From: Ohio
Default Help! no start

Took the 63 out today for a while. Car started up with no problem. Drove about 20 miles and stopped to chat with friends.. when back to start it up and nothing. Gauges and radio worked fine but nothing when I tried to start it. Friend had older jumper cables but could not get it to do anything. We pushed it and dropped clutch and it fired up. Drove back home and and it started but battery did not act like it was charged..just barely turned it over before it fired up. I am charging battery now. Could I have an alternator problem or voltage regulator bad?? Not too good on electrical troubleshooting but is there any simple tests I could do to determine what is going on? Thanks for any advice
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2020 | 03:23 PM
  #2  
JF in MI's Avatar
JF in MI
Melting Slicks
Pro Mechanic
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,267
Likes: 1,769
From: Central Michigan
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

I'm betting on starter, brushes in particular.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2020 | 03:28 PM
  #3  
Tampa Jerry's Avatar
Tampa Jerry
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,539
Likes: 1,971
From: Temple Terrace Florida
Default

I would start with a volt meter. Once the battery is charged, before starting, check the voltage of the battery. It should be 12.25 to 12.75 volts. If the voltage registers below 12 volts, replace the battery. Once it starts, the voltage should go up to 13 plus volts to 14.5 volts. If not, either your alternator or voltage regulator could be at fault. Lastly, have you checked the red wire connection on the firewall side just below the master cylinder? Do a search on the forum for the red wire problem. Jerry
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2020 | 03:47 PM
  #4  
lonzoo's Avatar
lonzoo
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 588
Likes: 41
From: Ohio
Default

Battery almost completely charged now....Getting 13.1 volts not running and 14.3 when running.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2020 | 03:53 PM
  #5  
plaidside's Avatar
plaidside
Le Mans Master
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,104
Likes: 1,362
From: New York New York
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Tampa Jerry is spot on. Now you know your charging system is OK you should check the firewall connector.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2020 | 04:08 PM
  #6  
lonzoo's Avatar
lonzoo
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 588
Likes: 41
From: Ohio
Default

When firewall connector problem would gauges and radio still work.. I noticed that the amp gauge would go instantly to full discharge when I had ignition in the start position.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2020 | 04:25 PM
  #7  
Pop Chevy's Avatar
Pop Chevy
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,436
Likes: 1,253
From: Sarver Pa
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

That points you toward the starter.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2020 | 04:44 PM
  #8  
aclassicnut's Avatar
aclassicnut
Pro
15 Year Member
Veteran: Marine Corps
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 647
Likes: 54
From: Greensboro NC
Veteran
Default

How ood is your postive red wire from the battery to the starter? Check the voltage at the starter teminal
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 25, 2020 | 05:40 PM
  #9  
65GGvert's Avatar
65GGvert
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,182
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
Default

Originally Posted by lonzoo
When firewall connector problem would gauges and radio still work.. I noticed that the amp gauge would go instantly to full discharge when I had ignition in the start position.
Every symptom you have points to the starter.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2020 | 05:55 PM
  #10  
GTOguy's Avatar
GTOguy
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,460
From: Fresno California
Default

Originally Posted by 65GGvert
Every symptom you have points to the starter.
Or the hot wire to the starter solenoid. Or the connection at the ignition switch. Or the positive battery cable. Or the grounds.....etc.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2020 | 06:07 PM
  #11  
lonzoo's Avatar
lonzoo
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 588
Likes: 41
From: Ohio
Default

Thanks for the help guys. Tomorrow I will test the solenoid connection and the battery cable voltage. If those check out looks like a new starter is the route to go.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2020 | 06:13 PM
  #12  
Captain Bud's Avatar
Captain Bud
Burning Brakes
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 378
From: Knoxville, TN
2020 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Had a similar problem on my Avanti ll that had a 350 Corvette engine. The starter got heat soaked and it wouldn't do anything until it cooled down.
They make a thermal blanket to cover the starter that solves this problem.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2020 | 06:30 PM
  #13  
65GGvert's Avatar
65GGvert
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,182
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
Default

Originally Posted by GTOguy
Or the hot wire to the starter solenoid. Or the connection at the ignition switch. Or the positive battery cable. Or the grounds.....etc.
Those things won't make the batt gauge full negative when you turn the key to start. only too much current going to the starter with the starter not moving will cause that
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2020 | 07:46 PM
  #14  
lonzoo's Avatar
lonzoo
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 588
Likes: 41
From: Ohio
Default

Update; Checked positive to starter..getting 13v. Bulk connectors all look new with no arciing marks. Alternator putting out 14.3 v. I even removed ground cable on battery with motor running and it never died. Thats telling me the problem is either solenoid or starter. Sounds like new starter w/solenoid may be in order. although it has started right up on several tries today (another indicator starter going bad). Thanks guys for all your input.This forum is great.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Help! no start





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:40 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE