Dkeller167

So we bought a '76 and wanted to buy a new battery for it, no surprise there. Before changing the battery, the car started no problem. After we changed the battery, we let it sit a while...like 4 months or so. The battery had a disconnect on the positive terminal which I undid so the battery wouldn't drain. Well, it did, so I charged it up and went to start the car. Here is where it gets weird:

Upon turning the key to on, the aftermarket radio turns on which is normal. When I turn the key to turn on the car, it clicks once and all power is gone. In order to get power back again, I have to unhook the battery and hook it back up again. Anyone else experience this? What's going on??

lowbuck72

Sounds like a bad connection. Check your battery cables, ground strap, and the positive connection on your starter solenoid. Check for corrosion and bloating of any cables as well.

bj1k

It just sounds like it is not getting a good connection somewhere either on the positive terminal or ground cables . Clean all connections and try again. I would put that battery on charge though if it has sat for four months.

Dkeller167

Okay, so the battery is on a charger, and it is staying topped off. I can tell the cables have a good connection, as I can turn on the hazards no problem. But once I try to start the car, there is a click, and everything goes dead. The only way I can get anything to work again, is to disconnect the battery and re connect it.

Dkeller167

Where is the starter solenoid located?

Antz81

at the starter

Alan 71

Hi DK,
Welcome!
First posts!!!
Where does the click seem to be coming from…. behind the dash, from the left side of the engine compartment, or on the right side of the engine down low?
Regards,
Alan

Here's the location of the starter solenoid.

Chop Shop

When i bought my 76 it did the exact same thing. It was the main battery connection at the starter. The end was bloated with corrosion for about 3 inches. In Alan's picture it was the black cable right above his yellow arrow. Hope this helps.

Cooter Tech

Bad connection, or a bad battery. Get rid of the quick disconnect and wire the cable directly to the battery, if you have not done this. Check your ground connections at the motor and the battery to the frame. Make sure they are tight and clean. Does not take much battery power to run a radio or flashers. Takes a lot of power to start a car. Bad or dirty connections give the same symptoms.

truckerlary

You might check your ground connection under the car back at the battery. Check your cable end and also where it bolts to the crossmember. Also check where the ground fastens to the frame up by the starter. You should have a cable like it shows in Alans picture(black cable) that goes from the frame to the engine block. The ground is just as important as the hot cable.

Cooter Tech

Alan, thanks for the many pictures, they amaze me, and I stare at them for the attention to detail and excellent workmanship you have done. Not trying to hi jack thread.