1971 Corvette won't start
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
1971 Corvette won't start
Hello, new to the group. Went to start my Vette up today and it wouldn't start. No dashboard lights, no clicking, nothing.
What I've done so far.....
Checked battery and made sure it was charged and ok.
Put battery charger positive cable on starter soilonid & negative charger connector to negative on battery. Put negative connector to frame as well.
Ran a wire from the negative battery terminal to the radiator support.
Put a volt meter to the starter soilonid, (read 12 volts)
Put a trouble shooting light to the soilonid, (it lit up)
After having done all of the above the headlights didn't come on, the dashboard lights didn't come on........ and it didn't turn over or even click.
It's a 4 speed. The key turns in the ignition just fine. It has gas.
Can some one tell me what I should check next?
What I've done so far.....
Checked battery and made sure it was charged and ok.
Put battery charger positive cable on starter soilonid & negative charger connector to negative on battery. Put negative connector to frame as well.
Ran a wire from the negative battery terminal to the radiator support.
Put a volt meter to the starter soilonid, (read 12 volts)
Put a trouble shooting light to the soilonid, (it lit up)
After having done all of the above the headlights didn't come on, the dashboard lights didn't come on........ and it didn't turn over or even click.
It's a 4 speed. The key turns in the ignition just fine. It has gas.
Can some one tell me what I should check next?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,679
Likes: 657
From: Blairsville , Georgia
Hello, new to the group. Went to start my Vette up today and it wouldn't start. No dashboard lights, no clicking, nothing.
What I've done so far.....
Checked battery and made sure it was charged and ok.
Put battery charger positive cable on starter soilonid & negative charger connector to negative on battery. Put negative connector to frame as well.
Ran a wire from the negative battery terminal to the radiator support.
Put a volt meter to the starter soilonid, (read 12 volts)
Put a trouble shooting light to the soilonid, (it lit up)
After having done all of the above the headlights didn't come on, the dashboard lights didn't come on........ and it didn't turn over or even click.
It's a 4 speed. The key turns in the ignition just fine. It has gas.
Can some one tell me what I should check next?
What I've done so far.....
Checked battery and made sure it was charged and ok.
Put battery charger positive cable on starter soilonid & negative charger connector to negative on battery. Put negative connector to frame as well.
Ran a wire from the negative battery terminal to the radiator support.
Put a volt meter to the starter soilonid, (read 12 volts)
Put a trouble shooting light to the soilonid, (it lit up)
After having done all of the above the headlights didn't come on, the dashboard lights didn't come on........ and it didn't turn over or even click.
It's a 4 speed. The key turns in the ignition just fine. It has gas.
Can some one tell me what I should check next?
I believe that there is a switch located at the bottom of the clutch pedal that might be causing you this problem. It is kind of like a kill switch that if it is bad will not let the car turn over. Maybe somebody else will chime in who knows a lot more than I do. I think that it will be a simple fix.
Good Luck
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
I believe that there is a switch located at the bottom of the clutch pedal that might be causing you this problem. It is kind of like a kill switch that if it is bad will not let the car turn over. Maybe somebody else will chime in who knows a lot more than I do. I think that it will be a simple fix.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,202
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi tj,
The neutral safety switch that djd mentions will prevent the starter circuit from operating, but not the accessories.... lights, horn, etc..
Have you checked both the cable connections at the battery and the connection of the negative (ground) cable at it's connection to the frame below the battery box?
Regards,
Alan
The neutral safety switch that djd mentions will prevent the starter circuit from operating, but not the accessories.... lights, horn, etc..
Have you checked both the cable connections at the battery and the connection of the negative (ground) cable at it's connection to the frame below the battery box?
Regards,
Alan
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 119
From: Springfield Missouri
also check both battery cable at the battery, they may look clean, but if you have the side mount cables, they can be corroded between the bolt and the cable. Since you don't have any lights, you are not getting 12 volts to anything.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 2
From: long beach California
It is either a series problems or something simple knock out the basics first remove the power cable check for any breaks heated spots ect.my car did the same damn thing it was a melted power cable that dirt an bs on it. It looked fine had 12 volts at the end of it. When I pulled it and cleaned it I found the burnt spot an two many of wires inside the cable were cut to make any kind of amperage. No lights no nothing
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Hi tj,
The neutral safety switch that djd mentions will prevent the starter circuit from operating, but not the accessories.... lights, horn, etc..
Have you checked both the cable connections at the battery and the connection of the negative (ground) cable at it's connection to the frame below the battery box?
Regards,
Alan
The neutral safety switch that djd mentions will prevent the starter circuit from operating, but not the accessories.... lights, horn, etc..
Have you checked both the cable connections at the battery and the connection of the negative (ground) cable at it's connection to the frame below the battery box?
Regards,
Alan
The cable connections are clean and tightly attached to the battery. I don't know of any other way to check them? Since I'm getting power to the starter solinoid doesn't that mean the cables are good?
I didn't know where the negative cable was grounded, now that I know I'll check it out, thanks. When I hooked a wire to the negative battery cable and ground it to the radiator supportwasn't that in effect providing a new ground? After having done that I still didn't get any dashboard lights, radio or headlights.
Thanks for ur input.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Since I am getting voltage to the starter soloined I am assuming that the positive cable is good, at least to that point.
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Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
It is either a series problems or something simple knock out the basics first remove the power cable check for any breaks heated spots ect.my car did the same damn thing it was a melted power cable that dirt an bs on it. It looked fine had 12 volts at the end of it. When I pulled it and cleaned it I found the burnt spot an two many of wires inside the cable were cut to make any kind of amperage. No lights no nothing
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Since you have zero power and nothing works I agree its in the cranking system and caused by a bad ground as others have indicated .....the cable attachments would be at fault and not the battery or starter so don't start pulling ither one......
put a volt meter on the battery and its probably reading 12 volts
put a volt meter on the battery and its probably reading 12 volts
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Since you have zero power and nothing works I agree its in the cranking system and caused by a bad ground as others have indicated .....the cable attachments would be at fault and not the battery or starter so don't start pulling ither one......
put a volt meter on the battery and its probably reading 12 volts
put a volt meter on the battery and its probably reading 12 volts
I won't be able to work on it for a couple days now that the weekend is at an end.
So if I'm understanding everyone correctly my next step would be to check where the negative battery cable is ground to the frame underneath the car, underneath the battery box? Would that be the only place to check? After I disconnect the grounding point, and wire brush the contact point and reconnect....... if I still have no lights, radio or dashboard lights would the next step be to replace the ignition switch?
Thanks for all the help, I'm very appreciative.
TJIOWA