She's Dead, By Gum
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 276
From: Port Huron MI
She's Dead, By Gum
Dear Expert Panel,
I'm in need of a bit of assistance. My 75 ran fine the whole three times I've had time to enjoy her this summer... Then... Nothing. No power. Nada. I turn the key and there is only silence.
So I replaced the battery. I had a crappy 5oo cold cranking amp Walmart battery in it that she came with. I left it be, figuring don't fix it if it ain't broke. Well, it's "broke" now. So I threw a Diehard 725 cold cranker in there and... wait for... still nothing.
I checked my battery cables numerous times to insure a good connection. I checked grounds. No problem.
I tapped the old starter with a hammer a couple times, still NADA!
I'm figuring the starter's bad. A cheap fix, two bolts, the addition of a starter heat shield (I hear it's a good idea) and home free... Maybe.
But before I embark on a starter replacement, I thought I'd ask if it could be anything else, short of a MATRIX like EMP.
I'm in need of a bit of assistance. My 75 ran fine the whole three times I've had time to enjoy her this summer... Then... Nothing. No power. Nada. I turn the key and there is only silence.
So I replaced the battery. I had a crappy 5oo cold cranking amp Walmart battery in it that she came with. I left it be, figuring don't fix it if it ain't broke. Well, it's "broke" now. So I threw a Diehard 725 cold cranker in there and... wait for... still nothing.
I checked my battery cables numerous times to insure a good connection. I checked grounds. No problem.
I tapped the old starter with a hammer a couple times, still NADA!
I'm figuring the starter's bad. A cheap fix, two bolts, the addition of a starter heat shield (I hear it's a good idea) and home free... Maybe.
But before I embark on a starter replacement, I thought I'd ask if it could be anything else, short of a MATRIX like EMP.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
Dear Expert Panel,
I'm in need of a bit of assistance. My 75 ran fine the whole three times I've had time to enjoy her this summer... Then... Nothing. No power. Nada. I turn the key and there is only silence.
So I replaced the battery. I had a crappy 5oo cold cranking amp Walmart battery in it that she came with. I left it be, figuring don't fix it if it ain't broke. Well, it's "broke" now. So I threw a Diehard 725 cold cranker in there and... wait for... still nothing.
I checked my battery cables numerous times to insure a good connection. I checked grounds. No problem.
I tapped the old starter with a hammer a couple times, still NADA!
I'm figuring the starter's bad. A cheap fix, two bolts, the addition of a starter heat shield (I hear it's a good idea) and home free... Maybe.
But before I embark on a starter replacement, I thought I'd ask if it could be anything else, short of a MATRIX like EMP.
I'm in need of a bit of assistance. My 75 ran fine the whole three times I've had time to enjoy her this summer... Then... Nothing. No power. Nada. I turn the key and there is only silence.
So I replaced the battery. I had a crappy 5oo cold cranking amp Walmart battery in it that she came with. I left it be, figuring don't fix it if it ain't broke. Well, it's "broke" now. So I threw a Diehard 725 cold cranker in there and... wait for... still nothing.
I checked my battery cables numerous times to insure a good connection. I checked grounds. No problem.
I tapped the old starter with a hammer a couple times, still NADA!
I'm figuring the starter's bad. A cheap fix, two bolts, the addition of a starter heat shield (I hear it's a good idea) and home free... Maybe.
But before I embark on a starter replacement, I thought I'd ask if it could be anything else, short of a MATRIX like EMP.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,601
Likes: 7,048
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
O.K.
Rookie needs info....You can use a test light,,,but a voltmeter shows actual voltage....or even low voltage.....also--wiggle each connection while you are testing for voltage to make sure nothing is loose causing intermittent problems (ask me how I know....after a day of troubleshooting/thinking the problem "went away")
Do all the fuses test O.K. with the voltmeter?
Do the headlights shine brightly?
Do the blinkers work with the key "ON"?
Do the gauges operate with the key "ON"....engine "OFF"?
Does a voltmeter show 12V at the positive lug on the starter?
While you are under the car does the purple-(I think)- wire show 12V when a friend turns the key to the "ON" position?
Does the voltmeter show 12V at the positive lug on the back of the alternator?
If this needs to be checked
....
does the purple wire under the console show 12V where it connects to the safety switch (or where ever it is located) on the side of the shifter (my '68 model)....
does it show 12V in Park/Neutral on the connector wire that exits the safety switch?
Does the 12v drop off to Zero when the shifter is moved to reverse....and go to 12V when the shifter is in Park or neutral on the A/T.....................or Neutral on the M/T?
Get back to us when you check these things.
Rookie needs info....You can use a test light,,,but a voltmeter shows actual voltage....or even low voltage.....also--wiggle each connection while you are testing for voltage to make sure nothing is loose causing intermittent problems (ask me how I know....after a day of troubleshooting/thinking the problem "went away")
Do all the fuses test O.K. with the voltmeter?
Do the headlights shine brightly?
Do the blinkers work with the key "ON"?
Do the gauges operate with the key "ON"....engine "OFF"?
Does a voltmeter show 12V at the positive lug on the starter?
While you are under the car does the purple-(I think)- wire show 12V when a friend turns the key to the "ON" position?
Does the voltmeter show 12V at the positive lug on the back of the alternator?
If this needs to be checked
....does the purple wire under the console show 12V where it connects to the safety switch (or where ever it is located) on the side of the shifter (my '68 model)....
does it show 12V in Park/Neutral on the connector wire that exits the safety switch?
Does the 12v drop off to Zero when the shifter is moved to reverse....and go to 12V when the shifter is in Park or neutral on the A/T.....................or Neutral on the M/T?
Get back to us when you check these things.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
I have nothing further to add, other than to stress that zwede's first question is important. It's different to troubleshoot ABSOLUTELY no power vs no cranking.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 557
Likes: 15
From: Royal Oak Michigan
Check the connection between the neg battery cable and the frame. It's right under the batt compartment on the cross member. That connection has "killed" many a Vett. The terminal gets dirty or corroded and kills EVERYTHING. Wire brush the connection and give it a try.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557
Likes: 3
From: El Sobrante CA
Bad, corroded - deteriorated grounds are Ye Olde Numero Uno electrical/starting issue.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 276
From: Port Huron MI
Thanks for the comments fellas. Answer: She's dea, meaning no lights, no dash, no nothing, nada.
I will check fuses when I get home this afternoon. I have previously replaced the neutral safety switch (2 years ago) and everything worked fine three weeks ago. Started right up. No problems. I'm lost on her.
Part of the problem, of course, is that I have very little time until the weekend to run through diagnostics of anykind. I do have a voltmeter. I just can't figure how with good connections and a brand new battery I'm getting absolutely no juice to anything. I must be missing something.
As always, thanks for the time and the expertise.
I will check fuses when I get home this afternoon. I have previously replaced the neutral safety switch (2 years ago) and everything worked fine three weeks ago. Started right up. No problems. I'm lost on her.
Part of the problem, of course, is that I have very little time until the weekend to run through diagnostics of anykind. I do have a voltmeter. I just can't figure how with good connections and a brand new battery I'm getting absolutely no juice to anything. I must be missing something.
As always, thanks for the time and the expertise.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 517
Likes: 2
From: Orlando FL
You can check for power at the Starter positive side, if no power it could be one of 2 things. Bad ground right under the battery box to frame, or the fuseable link near the starter. Good luck keep us posted
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 50
From: Laguna Niguel California
Similar happened to mine a few weeks ago. It was the main power feed that goes across the firewall, it had worn through the insulation and then blew the fusible link. Repair: replace fusible link and then wrap worn wiring to insulate.