suddenly wont crank
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 571
Likes: 5
From: usa
suddenly wont crank
73, 350, 4 speed
took the car for a drive back in nov. , my daughter was driving and we stopped to check the mail and she stalled it.
she pushed thee clutch in and turned the key and nothing.
I push started the car and it ran fine back up to the house.
I have tested:
battery, charged and tested good
terminals are clean and tight
Alt tested good
Starter tested good
clutch safety switch good
I tried bumping the starter with a screw driver, I get a very faint arch, but it wont crank . this really baffles me
took the car for a drive back in nov. , my daughter was driving and we stopped to check the mail and she stalled it.
she pushed thee clutch in and turned the key and nothing.
I push started the car and it ran fine back up to the house.
I have tested:
battery, charged and tested good
terminals are clean and tight
Alt tested good
Starter tested good
clutch safety switch good
I tried bumping the starter with a screw driver, I get a very faint arch, but it wont crank . this really baffles me
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,105
Likes: 96
From: Sunrise FL
Start with CHARGED battery:
Get your test light and touch it to the "S" terminal on the starter solenoid. Then try to crank it. If the light goes on, then your solenoid and/or starter is bad.
If no light then you need to trace back to neutral safety switch, ign switch. These are mostly the PURPLE wires.
Get your test light and touch it to the "S" terminal on the starter solenoid. Then try to crank it. If the light goes on, then your solenoid and/or starter is bad.
If no light then you need to trace back to neutral safety switch, ign switch. These are mostly the PURPLE wires.
Last edited by mikem350; Apr 2, 2016 at 11:31 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,192
Likes: 4,180
From: Kannapolis NC
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 571
Likes: 5
From: usa
ok, getting PO'd at this thing.
starter harness was kinda ratting looking with some splices so I replaced the starter harness.
still wont crank.
starter and battery checked ok.
I have juice coming back to the starter on the yellow wire only when the clutch is in and key turned.
battery ground is tight and looks clean on under side cross member.
if I try to cross the starter with a screw driver I do get a click, but like a dead battery
WTH
starter harness was kinda ratting looking with some splices so I replaced the starter harness.
still wont crank.
starter and battery checked ok.
I have juice coming back to the starter on the yellow wire only when the clutch is in and key turned.
battery ground is tight and looks clean on under side cross member.
if I try to cross the starter with a screw driver I do get a click, but like a dead battery
WTH
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 789
Likes: 129
From: Los Banos CA
Weak ground connection? Negative cable from the battery grounds to the frame under the battery compartment, and engine grounds via a cable under the hood (my 79 is in the left front corner of the engine compartment).
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 571
Likes: 5
From: usa
just checked the purple wire from above post. nothing coming to that wire with or with out the key turned.
also the clicking is coming from either the fire wall on driver side or inside car.
not the starter
also the clicking is coming from either the fire wall on driver side or inside car.
not the starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 789
Likes: 129
From: Los Banos CA
Well, if you're shorting the terminals on the starter with a screw driver, it should crank regardless of key on/off, clutch in/out, etc (it won't start, as the dizzy might not have juice, but it should crank). The only things in the 'circuit' at that point are the battery, battery cables, and frame (to complete the circuit). Maybe try running a jumper cable from the negative battery terminal to someplace on the engine (if your cables are long enough), and then short the starter terminals (this will verify your ground circuit)?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 571
Likes: 5
From: usa
WELL, cleaned all grounds and still nothing. went back to the beginning and started checking everything. this time no continuity at the clutch switch. so I jumper wired it and boom, cranks right over. must be a sometimes thing with the safety switch. not sure if I will just bypass it or get a new one, fighting sidepipes now ugh!