Starters probably not getting enough juice.
Won't start (smoke effects too!)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Won't start (smoke effects too!)
Hi
My '78 wont start and I was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction.
I was trying to start it after about 3 months of inactivity. At first, the engine turned but never got going. Then, the engine would not turn. You could hear the starter trying to get it going, but not enough to get it to turn.
Eventually, smoke started coming out from the starter area. I thought I had fried the starter, but checked the wiring and it was all burnt up, so I thought it was the wiring that fried instead.
So, I ordered a new starter wiring harness and replaced the old one, thinking it would fix it. Still, won't turn. The starter does engage the engine, but can't turn it.
So now, I'm confused. I mean, can the starter be bad anyway even if it does engage the engine and tries to turn it? If the smoke had come from the starter, would it still try to engage and turn the engine? Is there anything else I should be looking at besides the starter
By the way, all of the above tests happened with jumper cables coupled from my other car to the vette's alternator, because the vette's battery is dead now.
Also, the engine is not seized. I was able to turn it easily by hand.
Thanks.
PJ
My '78 wont start and I was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction.
I was trying to start it after about 3 months of inactivity. At first, the engine turned but never got going. Then, the engine would not turn. You could hear the starter trying to get it going, but not enough to get it to turn.
Eventually, smoke started coming out from the starter area. I thought I had fried the starter, but checked the wiring and it was all burnt up, so I thought it was the wiring that fried instead.
So, I ordered a new starter wiring harness and replaced the old one, thinking it would fix it. Still, won't turn. The starter does engage the engine, but can't turn it.
So now, I'm confused. I mean, can the starter be bad anyway even if it does engage the engine and tries to turn it? If the smoke had come from the starter, would it still try to engage and turn the engine? Is there anything else I should be looking at besides the starter
By the way, all of the above tests happened with jumper cables coupled from my other car to the vette's alternator, because the vette's battery is dead now.
Also, the engine is not seized. I was able to turn it easily by hand.
Thanks.
PJ
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 379
From: Woodinville WA
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 441
Likes: 1
From: Windsor Ontario
You can buy a smaller size, high torque starter from any parts place, part source, NAPA, etc, that come stock on some Chevy pick up trucks. I don't remember what years, or part numbers, but it bolts right up. Just tell the counter guy what you are doing and he should know exactly what one you need.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 74
From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
If you take the starter to the NAPA store they will run a draw test on it to see how much the starter is pulling. If it's pulling too much juice get a new high torque one.