78 vette would not start. Help !
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
78 vette would not start. Help !
I tried to start my 78 vette after doing some work in the engine bay and now the car would not start.
I removed the alternator, starter motor and the air compressor and put it all back.
The battery has power, but when I turn the igniton to the on position, nothing comes on, no lights turn on.
Of course the starter does not even click.
The car used to run before I took the above parts apart.
Looks like it is some wiring problem.
Any idea how to go about with trouble shooting ?
I removed the alternator, starter motor and the air compressor and put it all back.
The battery has power, but when I turn the igniton to the on position, nothing comes on, no lights turn on.
Of course the starter does not even click.
The car used to run before I took the above parts apart.
Looks like it is some wiring problem.
Any idea how to go about with trouble shooting ?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
...try dis-connecting your main harness at firewall next to distributer on passenger side......clean the contacts...it is a flat connector...
Edit: Did you dis-connect battery before doing the work ??
Rich
Edit: Did you dis-connect battery before doing the work ??
Rich
Last edited by rihwoods; May 13, 2007 at 11:22 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,371
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
Did you hook the wires up to the correct terminals at the starter? The 2with the links attached go to the big terminal with the battery cable. The third wire doesn't, it goes to the other small terminal on the solenoid.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: michigan
look at the 4 wire connector on passenger side by firewall as previously mentioned, might just be loose wires, I had same problem this week-end and the 4 wire harness was problem ,also check wires to starter, loose? good luck
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
I will look at this today. I did not remove this, but it might have come loose.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
I attached the third one to one of the small terminals right next to the big terminal.
Which one is the solenoid? The big cylinder or the small one on top of it ?
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Cruising
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert AZ
Another ground problem rears it's ugly head. Just went through this same thing, make sure the wires to the starter are correct,not just the way you found them,my blower motor worked properly after wiring it following the AIM. I was using the wrong terminal on the solenoid (so did Bubba) I was spoozing all over mysef when it fired off.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: michigan
rajsid, did you get it fixed yet?, I had a very similiar problem on my 79,battery was fine but no lites, no power windows, no click , nothing. It turned out to be the 4 wire harness. it looked fine but just moving it around a bit must have restored contact and it started right up. I will be replacing the starter harness but saved me a flatbed call at the time. double check these connections. good luck, let us know if you get it fixed.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
rajsid, did you get it fixed yet?, I had a very similiar problem on my 79,battery was fine but no lites, no power windows, no click , nothing. It turned out to be the 4 wire harness. it looked fine but just moving it around a bit must have restored contact and it started right up. I will be replacing the starter harness but saved me a flatbed call at the time. double check these connections. good luck, let us know if you get it fixed.
On my 78,all I did one day was wash/wax the turkey...got in to start it..and had nothing..zilch....got around to the 4 wire connector,and it was corroded...just cleaned contacts,and it started right up...
Rich
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
rajsid, did you get it fixed yet?, I had a very similiar problem on my 79,battery was fine but no lites, no power windows, no click , nothing. It turned out to be the 4 wire harness. it looked fine but just moving it around a bit must have restored contact and it started right up. I will be replacing the starter harness but saved me a flatbed call at the time. double check these connections. good luck, let us know if you get it fixed.
Have not looked at it yet. I will do so before or during the weekend.
Thanks for the help.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
Also check for ground take a test light and place the wire on the positive treminal of the battery. Place the probe on a piece of metal (door frame, ignition key, etc) and the light should light. If it doesn't again you may not be getting power out of the positve terminal.
A test light is your best friend on this car. It does not have to be computer safe. The car has no computers.
Good Luck it will be something simple.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
Then you are loosing it from the battery. Either the cable is bad or the 5/16 bolt going in to the terminal is not tight.
Also check for ground take a test light and place the wire on the positive treminal of the battery. Place the probe on a piece of metal (door frame, ignition key, etc) and the light should light. If it doesn't again you may not be getting power out of the positve terminal.
A test light is your best friend on this car. It does not have to be computer safe. The car has no computers.
Good Luck it will be something simple.
Also check for ground take a test light and place the wire on the positive treminal of the battery. Place the probe on a piece of metal (door frame, ignition key, etc) and the light should light. If it doesn't again you may not be getting power out of the positve terminal.
A test light is your best friend on this car. It does not have to be computer safe. The car has no computers.
Good Luck it will be something simple.
I will try a test light. I also removed the alternator. Not sure if it has anything to do with it.
