81 vette wont start
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
81 vette wont start
Hey guys,
So I have an 81 that has been having some starting problems lately. I would go to start it and it would start up fine. Then a couple hours later nothing would happen, no clicks or anything. I got under the car and hit the starter with my wrench and it started up so I thought for sure it was the starter. I replaced the starter and it wouldnt start but it would now give a clunk when i did try to. The battery is charged and the terminals are tight. I havent taken them off to check for corrosion underneath but I did jump the starter with a screwdriver and it started up everytime so i dont think thats the problem. One time after jumping it with a screwdriver it did restart by ignition but the second time it didnt. Could it be a bad ignition or maybe the wire that goes from the ignition to the starter? I am extremely confused to what the problem could be and would like any suggestions. Thanks.
So I have an 81 that has been having some starting problems lately. I would go to start it and it would start up fine. Then a couple hours later nothing would happen, no clicks or anything. I got under the car and hit the starter with my wrench and it started up so I thought for sure it was the starter. I replaced the starter and it wouldnt start but it would now give a clunk when i did try to. The battery is charged and the terminals are tight. I havent taken them off to check for corrosion underneath but I did jump the starter with a screwdriver and it started up everytime so i dont think thats the problem. One time after jumping it with a screwdriver it did restart by ignition but the second time it didnt. Could it be a bad ignition or maybe the wire that goes from the ignition to the starter? I am extremely confused to what the problem could be and would like any suggestions. Thanks.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
When it doesn't want to start, does it have interior lights, in other words, is all power out? If all power is missing there is an electrical plug up above the starter with heavy wires in it. It's very easy to get to from above. Take it apart a couple times to clean the contacts within. My '81 did the same thing to me a couple weeks back and this is where I found my problem. I put some dielectric grease in the junction and all has been good. Hope this helps.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
This might be a stupid question but was it a starter and solenoid you replaced? My '75 had a bad solenoid and had those same symptoms. I know the heat from exhaust was causing my solenoid to act up. It seems if you can jump it with a screwdriver it could be the solenoid connection. I'm not so good at the wiring, but i'm sure someone on here can point you in the right direction on how check it. If it starts up cold all the time, and not when it's warm then i would suspect the heat is swelling up the solenoid and it's sticking. just my uneducated guess...good luck!
