77 starting issues
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
77 starting issues
I am new to the forum and could not find a thread that addressed this specific need.
My 77 stopped cranking after driving her around one afternoon. I replaced the battery and the starter with still no luck.
I have been told to check for bad wiring but I am not sure where to begin. I'm running out of ideas and could use a lot of help as this is my first Vette.
Thanks in advance!
My 77 stopped cranking after driving her around one afternoon. I replaced the battery and the starter with still no luck.
I have been told to check for bad wiring but I am not sure where to begin. I'm running out of ideas and could use a lot of help as this is my first Vette.
Thanks in advance!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 115
From: Yelm Wa
Attach a voltmeter to the starter, to check that you have 12 volts at that point.
If you don't check your grounds and the wiring/connections, leading to the starter.
If you do, yard out the starter and bench test, or take to your local NAPA for testing.
If you don't check your grounds and the wiring/connections, leading to the starter.
If you do, yard out the starter and bench test, or take to your local NAPA for testing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,215
Likes: 1
From: Orlando FL
My guess is that if this happened all of a sudden you have a wiring issue. Lost a ground picked up a high resistance connection.
Get a diagram and start at the battery and work toward the starter till you find the problem
or
start at the starter and go backwards till you find voltage
Get a diagram and start at the battery and work toward the starter till you find the problem
or
start at the starter and go backwards till you find voltage
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
From: Pensacola Florida
Also, does anything come on (radio, door buzzer etc.) when the key is in the ON position. Definitely could be ground but wouldn't rule out ignition switch or shifter interlock under the console (manula or automatic?).
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
All dash instruments come on including radio and power windows work. It is an automatic.
Any quick tips on how to check the voltage at the starter with a multimeter since it is far reach to the battery? I have not been able to find one for purchase with longer wire leads.
Any quick tips on how to check the voltage at the starter with a multimeter since it is far reach to the battery? I have not been able to find one for purchase with longer wire leads.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
All dash instruments come on including radio and power windows work. It is an automatic.
Any quick tips on how to check the voltage at the starter with a multimeter since it is far reach to the battery? I have not been able to find one for purchase with longer wire leads.
Any quick tips on how to check the voltage at the starter with a multimeter since it is far reach to the battery? I have not been able to find one for purchase with longer wire leads.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,847
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
1977 has a fusible link located at the starter (Red wire) and another one on the driver side between the alternator and firewall. I'd take a hard look at the one by the starter. If you think it may be blown an easy way to tell is to tug on it a bit.. If it is blown, it will pull in half very easily.
If it is blown, you need to figure out why... then make the repair with fusible link you can purchase at most auto stores.
Willcox
If it is blown, you need to figure out why... then make the repair with fusible link you can purchase at most auto stores.
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Sep 18, 2013 at 08:13 PM.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,847
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
All you need is a ground.. if you are looking for voltage!
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
1977 has a fusible link located at the starter (Red wire) and another one on the driver side between the alternator and firewall. I'd take a hard look at the one by the starter. If you think it may be blown an easy way to tell is to tug on it a bit.. If it is blown, it will pull in half very easily.
If it is blown, you need to figure out why... then make the repair with fusible link you can purchase at most auto stores.
Willcox
If it is blown, you need to figure out why... then make the repair with fusible link you can purchase at most auto stores.
Willcox
I determined yesterday that the voltage is at the starter and at the S-terminal when trying to start.
I then checked for bad ground connection on the engine block and starter but still didnt have any luck once attempted to clean up those connections (although, im not 100% certain I was looking in the right spot).
I appreciate all the help. If nothing else, I am learning a lot.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 357
Likes: 3
From: Madisonville Kentucky
I had something similar to this happen years ago with my first 77. It ended up being some sort of module that was located in the center console. I can't remember exactly what it was called but I remember finding it by referring to my Haynes manual at the time. I purchased a replacement at the local NAPA store and that fixed the problem. I'll see if I can look that up again first chance I get and will repost if I can give any further details. Seems like this module might have had something to do with the not allowing the vehicle to start if the tranmission is not in park, but I am going by memory here.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: ontario
I am new to the forum and could not find a thread that addressed this specific need.
My 77 stopped cranking after driving her around one afternoon. I replaced the battery and the starter with still no luck.
I have been told to check for bad wiring but I am not sure where to begin. I'm running out of ideas and could use a lot of help as this is my first Vette.
Thanks in advance!
My 77 stopped cranking after driving her around one afternoon. I replaced the battery and the starter with still no luck.
I have been told to check for bad wiring but I am not sure where to begin. I'm running out of ideas and could use a lot of help as this is my first Vette.
Thanks in advance!
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Yep, I did try to start it in neutral. Someone mentioned having to replace the neutral switch so I may look into that.
I am going to attempt to replace the fusible link at the starter but I have never done that before. I tried to pull them apart to see if they easily tear away from being melted but that didnt happen. From my readings though, that does not mean it is not damaged.
I am going to attempt to replace the fusible link at the starter but I have never done that before. I tried to pull them apart to see if they easily tear away from being melted but that didnt happen. From my readings though, that does not mean it is not damaged.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Just replaced the fusible link down by the starter and still no crank. I now have the center console open looking at the neutral safety switch.
Just from looking at it, it looks like a good switch but is there any way to test without uninstalling it?
Just from looking at it, it looks like a good switch but is there any way to test without uninstalling it?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 276
From: Port Huron MI
