First problem with new car. won't start.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 689
Likes: 0
From: MI
First problem with new car. won't start.
I think i shorted something when i installed the radio. or maybe not. it won't start. won't even turn over. won't even click, like the starter does when the battery is dead.
it seems like a short, or a blown fuse. i don't have a shop manual yet, and would appreciate any suggestions or head starts.
it seems like a short, or a blown fuse. i don't have a shop manual yet, and would appreciate any suggestions or head starts.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 872
Likes: 3
From: Cortlandt Manor New York
Check to see if your battery is dead. Try the lights and other accessories. If they work it is not the battery.
Then you need to check the wiring to the starter. I don't see how wiring the radio would have anything to do with the starter but you need to see if there is power going to the starter. I suggest a shop manual and an Assembly Manual. They will help you in your future adventures.
Then you need to check the wiring to the starter. I don't see how wiring the radio would have anything to do with the starter but you need to see if there is power going to the starter. I suggest a shop manual and an Assembly Manual. They will help you in your future adventures.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 689
Likes: 0
From: MI
thanks greg. it seems more like wiring than anything else. it started fine all day, then BAM! not even turning over.
I think you guys need to get your long distance mind reading checked out. 
sorry. i sometimes suffer from "they-know-what-i-mean-itis"
1980. auto L48. 41,600 miles. i put on about 200 miles since I bought it yesterday. runs fine.
all electrical stuff works fine, headlamps (won't open cause the engine isn't running, but they light up), interior lamps, radio had a fuse blown, but i replaced it and it works fine now, voltage dial on guage cluster reads around 12 volts. battery is charged. lights weren't on or anything. stopped at a grocery store at the end of a 25 mile drive, and when i got out, it acted like the starter isn't connected to the rest of the car. that's why i thought 'short' or 'fuse'.
where is the starter, on the bottom of the engine, near the front or the back?
Check to see if your battery is dead. Try the lights and other accessories. If they work it is not the battery.
Then you need to check the wiring to the starter. I don't see how wiring the radio would have anything to do with the starter but you need to see if there is power going to the starter. I suggest a shop manual and an Assembly Manual. They will help you in your future adventures.
Then you need to check the wiring to the starter. I don't see how wiring the radio would have anything to do with the starter but you need to see if there is power going to the starter. I suggest a shop manual and an Assembly Manual. They will help you in your future adventures.
sorry. i sometimes suffer from "they-know-what-i-mean-itis"1980. auto L48. 41,600 miles. i put on about 200 miles since I bought it yesterday. runs fine.
all electrical stuff works fine, headlamps (won't open cause the engine isn't running, but they light up), interior lamps, radio had a fuse blown, but i replaced it and it works fine now, voltage dial on guage cluster reads around 12 volts. battery is charged. lights weren't on or anything. stopped at a grocery store at the end of a 25 mile drive, and when i got out, it acted like the starter isn't connected to the rest of the car. that's why i thought 'short' or 'fuse'.
where is the starter, on the bottom of the engine, near the front or the back?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Starter right side rear. Check fusible links at starter, firewall and/or alternator.
So I have this straight; you replaced radio, fixed fuse at radio, then drove 25 miles, before it would not start??
So I have this straight; you replaced radio, fixed fuse at radio, then drove 25 miles, before it would not start??
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg Illinois
i had a simmilar problem on my 77 but mine was no power to the body of the car at all. i had power to the starter but no power off the solenoid to the rest of the car. try tracing the wires off the solenoid up to the firewall to be sure none of the underhood connectors up there are loose. my problem seemed to "solve" itself but i'm pretty sure i knocked whatever was loose back right. just waiting for it to come back when i'm 100 miles from home. 
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2002
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From: MI
changed radio. blew a fuse. drove to get new fuse, replaced fuse and cruised for a bit. turned it off at grocery store and wouldn't start back up.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 269
From: S.E. MI
St. Jude Donor '15
Do you have an after market alarm system, maybe you blew a fuse for it. Or maybe try to turn off the factory alarm through the drivers door key lock. Also check for loose connections around the shifter area for the neutral safety switch. 
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,891
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
Is the car in Park?
I know it sounds silly, but it has happened here a couple times that the only thing keeping the car from starting was still being in gear.
I know it sounds silly, but it has happened here a couple times that the only thing keeping the car from starting was still being in gear.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2002
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From: MI
edit: added more information about connector.
Last edited by Double_0_7; Mar 7, 2008 at 12:34 AM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 457
Likes: 2
From: Tucson Arizona
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...9&dept_id=1169
This is what it looks like, it sits next to the shifter, under the shifter plate. Just jumper across the two purple wires, and try and start the car.
This is what it looks like, it sits next to the shifter, under the shifter plate. Just jumper across the two purple wires, and try and start the car.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 671
Likes: 0
From: McCook Nebraska
I would jack the passenger side of your car up so you can get to the starter. Get a test light and see if you are getting power to the starter then check to see if you are getting power to the small wire next to your battery wire. You will have to have some one bump the switch for you to see if it is getting power. If you don't have power down there then you probably have a fuseible link blown in the wires above the starter as Dannyman stated above.
Last edited by mr nasty; Mar 7, 2008 at 09:16 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 8
From: Hamilton NJ
I would have bet this was your problem but see it wasn't solved by the jumper. Did you get the car home or is it still stranded? Was it warm out? Almost sounds like classic heat-soak...Good luck
Last edited by Wuttin; Mar 7, 2008 at 09:33 AM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 689
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From: MI
wuttin: thank god for AAA gold, lol. but because of my last car, i'm nearly out of towing calls, lol.
it's at home in my garage. I'm looking at it now. I also just went to the parts store and bought a chiltons manual. at least it can get me through this until i can buy a real shop manual.
i'll check out the starter now.
it's at home in my garage. I'm looking at it now. I also just went to the parts store and bought a chiltons manual. at least it can get me through this until i can buy a real shop manual.
i'll check out the starter now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Forum member 'papawana' is sending wiring diagrams to those who tell him what year and provide an e-mail address.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1949920
An offer that is timely for you, as his information is superior to what you will find in the Chilton!
Let us know what you find.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1949920
An offer that is timely for you, as his information is superior to what you will find in the Chilton!
Let us know what you find.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 689
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From: MI
will do. thanks for the tip.
does anyone know what that green wire, clear-ish connector is? i can't find anything to connect it to. it comes out of the wire bundle driverside of the center tunnel, right next to the shifter. it's just one wire.
edit to add: thanks, dannyman. yeah, i asked for it last night and they came in. i was just about to go to that thread again and say thanks. he does a good service for the boards.
does anyone know what that green wire, clear-ish connector is? i can't find anything to connect it to. it comes out of the wire bundle driverside of the center tunnel, right next to the shifter. it's just one wire.
edit to add: thanks, dannyman. yeah, i asked for it last night and they came in. i was just about to go to that thread again and say thanks. he does a good service for the boards.