what happened? help please
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Rolla MO
what happened? help please
Hi, I have had my '74 parked for about two weeks while I was away at school. I went back to start it and nothing happened so I thought it could be a faulty battery. Tried charging it and that didn't work so I took the battery to a show to get it checked out. They said my battery was bad so I bought a new one and installed it....with no improvement. All my electronics (lights, radio,....) still work but the motor simply wont turn. I was able to bypass the ignition with the key and get the starter to turn....and to my surprise it wouldn't turn the motor! I am clueless here and could desperately use everyone's help. Thanks guys...you always manage to pull through for me!
Andrew
Andrew
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
Check to see that the battery cable is tight on your starter. It can carry a small amount of current if it’s loose but not enough to start the car. That would explain how your lights and radio work, but no starty. I’m sure others will chime in soon but that is what I would check first.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
Ok I reread your post…could you please clear this up for me. Did you bypass the solenoid? How did the starter turn but not turn over the motor? Did the bendix not engage?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I agree, after checking the status of the battery, the best thing to do is check ALL connections both at the battery and under the car. The battery cable goes to the starter, and the ground goes to the frame. Check those.
Then, once those are solid, also making sure the solonoid signal wire is tight to the smaller terminal, see if it turns over. If not, whack the starter with a hammer a few times. You won't hurt it. Then try to start it.
If it starts, or tried to, your starter is probably bad. If it still doesn't work, start testing cables for 12V both with the key on and off.
Then, once those are solid, also making sure the solonoid signal wire is tight to the smaller terminal, see if it turns over. If not, whack the starter with a hammer a few times. You won't hurt it. Then try to start it.
If it starts, or tried to, your starter is probably bad. If it still doesn't work, start testing cables for 12V both with the key on and off.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 434
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
the teeth are jammed with the fly wheel some how?
if the starter is turning but not engaging the flywheel then I suspect you have a bad starter. again hit it with a hammer and see if that will free it up. its possible sitting for a few weeks made it freeze up.
if the starter is turning but not engaging the flywheel then I suspect you have a bad starter. again hit it with a hammer and see if that will free it up. its possible sitting for a few weeks made it freeze up.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Rolla MO
I got the starter to turn with a screwdriver bypassing the solenoid I guess. It seemed like the bendix didn't engage.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
It re-sets the ignition system on a 1974 with the seatbelt cut-out interlock. Worth a try. No seat belt connected in 1974, no starting the car. That's the way it was back then.
Here's the weight sensor under the seat to tell the ignition when your butt is in the car. Yes, C3 people that was the way it was.
Here's the weight sensor under the seat to tell the ignition when your butt is in the car. Yes, C3 people that was the way it was.
Last edited by Paul L; Dec 15, 2008 at 08:13 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
It re-sets the ignition system on a 1974 with the seatbelt cut-out interlock. Worth a try. No seat belt connected in 1974, no starting the car. That's the way it was back then.
Here's the weight sensor under the seat to tell the ignition when your butt is in the car. Yes, C3 people that was the way it was.
]
Here's the weight sensor under the seat to tell the ignition when your butt is in the car. Yes, C3 people that was the way it was.
]
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 683
Likes: 4
Andrew,
I had a similar problem a while back. I would start at the negative battery connection. I would follow that negative cable to the crossframe under the car where it is bolted to. Remove the bolt and any washers if present. Clean this connection of any rust or dirt. Attach the cable end to the frame in this sequence. Frame, Star washer, cable end, large washer and then the bolt. The next area that completes the circuit for the ground is a short cable that attaches to the front, passenger side.
There is a short stub frame where the left motor mount attaches to. Here is where one end of the ground cable attaches to, and the other end attaches to the engine block usually where the front starter support attaches also. Be certain to use the star washers. These are what assures a good contact. I hope this will be of some help.
Steve
I had a similar problem a while back. I would start at the negative battery connection. I would follow that negative cable to the crossframe under the car where it is bolted to. Remove the bolt and any washers if present. Clean this connection of any rust or dirt. Attach the cable end to the frame in this sequence. Frame, Star washer, cable end, large washer and then the bolt. The next area that completes the circuit for the ground is a short cable that attaches to the front, passenger side.
There is a short stub frame where the left motor mount attaches to. Here is where one end of the ground cable attaches to, and the other end attaches to the engine block usually where the front starter support attaches also. Be certain to use the star washers. These are what assures a good contact. I hope this will be of some help.
Steve
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 1,502
From: Little Rock AR
If I read you right, the starter motor spins BUT the engine does not. You probably need to replace the bendix gear assembly (the over-running starter drive gear/clutch thingy) or just replace the whole starter. I would get a replacement bendix and try that first.
You might be missing teeth from the flywheel but either way, you have to drop the starter to find out.
-Mark.
You might be missing teeth from the flywheel but either way, you have to drop the starter to find out.
-Mark.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 876
Likes: 0
From: Canastota Ny
wow! so now i know that when someone tells me they have a 74 for sale and it just wont start anymore that i may get it dirt cheap, because they dont know bout the seatbelt thingy!
"yup engine is seized up junk it", okay how but $500.00? SOLD!
"yup engine is seized up junk it", okay how but $500.00? SOLD!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
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.....or your passenger gets in before you try to start the car and he(she) doesn't buckle up.
...this was also found in the first few month's of 1975 production, possibly those built to just before Jan 1, 1975.
...this "feature" was in all 1974/early '75 model year GM cars.