Ignition Issue
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Ignition Issue
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??
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??
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 498
From: Chino Hills CA
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??
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??
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
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??
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??
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
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.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,200
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
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.
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.
Last edited by Alan 71; Feb 24, 2017 at 04:18 PM.
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Burt Iowa
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.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,242
Likes: 221
From: Dryden MI
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.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 312
Likes: 12
From: Tipton In.
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,242
Likes: 221
From: Dryden MI
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.