1969 NOM Starting Problems.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 35
Likes: 3
1969 NOM Starting Problems.
Hello,
So, I have a 1969 350 automatic that came with a "crate engine" (if the previous owner is to be believed). When we got the car it had intermittent starting problems and the previous owner had said everything had been looked at (battery, starter, ignition, etc.) and that there was a "dead spot" on the starter.
So the intermittent problem became a permanent one and I ended up changing the starter. The car still would not start (no crank, nothing). When I jumper the S terminal and the battery terminal on the starter solenoid the starter fires right up and, I believe, if the key is in run we can get the car to start. So I know the starter is good and is getting a good ground and a good 12V, and deduction tells me the problem must be between the key and the S terminal on the starter (right?).
Can anyone please recommend what/where I should look at and test next? I'm by no means a mechanic but I am handy, and have a lot of tools and a multimeter. Thank you so much for any guidance you can provide.
So, I have a 1969 350 automatic that came with a "crate engine" (if the previous owner is to be believed). When we got the car it had intermittent starting problems and the previous owner had said everything had been looked at (battery, starter, ignition, etc.) and that there was a "dead spot" on the starter.
So the intermittent problem became a permanent one and I ended up changing the starter. The car still would not start (no crank, nothing). When I jumper the S terminal and the battery terminal on the starter solenoid the starter fires right up and, I believe, if the key is in run we can get the car to start. So I know the starter is good and is getting a good ground and a good 12V, and deduction tells me the problem must be between the key and the S terminal on the starter (right?).
Can anyone please recommend what/where I should look at and test next? I'm by no means a mechanic but I am handy, and have a lot of tools and a multimeter. Thank you so much for any guidance you can provide.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 493
Likes: 65
Start by finding out if the wire on the "S" terminal has power when the ignition switch is in the "start" position. I think I remember that wire being a pink wire and it comes through the dash down by the steering column, at least in that area.
Check for continuity from one end to the other to check for a break in the wire, physically trace the wire and see if there is a break.
That's probably where I would start to diagnose the issue. Good luck
Check for continuity from one end to the other to check for a break in the wire, physically trace the wire and see if there is a break.
That's probably where I would start to diagnose the issue. Good luck
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If it was intermittent then permanent its probably the switch or the linkage to the switch. Check to see if the actually switch has moved. It has slots so if it moves, the linkage wont travel far enough to engage it. If you drop the steering column down to get at it you can check the output and move it manually to see if its the problem
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 35
Likes: 3
Hi, and thank you for the replies. Sorry for the delay but life was in the way.
That trigger wire by the starter has a braided/cloth type jacket, but all of the wires I see going into the connector by the driver-side firewall are plastic jacket. Does that wire coming from the starter go to a relay or somewhere else under the hood before making its way inside the car? I tried to trace it but it seems to disappear in a wiring harness above the starter. Also looked at the wiring schematic and that didn't really help
When I try to start it by turning the key to "start" I see the battery gauge dip down so I believe/assume the linkage is connected properly in the column. The starter will not fire with the key, but will when I jumper the terminals at the starter.
So is it sounding more and more like a bad ignition switch (not where the key goes in, but down at the bottom and above the column)?
Thank you for any advice/help!
P.S. I also tried to jumper bypass the neutral safety switch and that didn't make any difference.
That trigger wire by the starter has a braided/cloth type jacket, but all of the wires I see going into the connector by the driver-side firewall are plastic jacket. Does that wire coming from the starter go to a relay or somewhere else under the hood before making its way inside the car? I tried to trace it but it seems to disappear in a wiring harness above the starter. Also looked at the wiring schematic and that didn't really help
When I try to start it by turning the key to "start" I see the battery gauge dip down so I believe/assume the linkage is connected properly in the column. The starter will not fire with the key, but will when I jumper the terminals at the starter.
So is it sounding more and more like a bad ignition switch (not where the key goes in, but down at the bottom and above the column)?
Thank you for any advice/help!
P.S. I also tried to jumper bypass the neutral safety switch and that didn't make any difference.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
No easy answer here. Download a wiring diagram from the member that has them offered (do a search). Then start checking voltages beginning at the starter S terminal(after disconnecting it from the starter) and using something like viselocks to hold the switch in the Start position. Work back toward the ignition switch until you have voltage. It might be a bad wire crimp, bad connection at the firewall pass-thru, safety switch, ignition switch or a fuse panel issue.
