1969 Starting problems
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3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2018
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1969 Starting problems
I have a 1969 427/400 tripower car. Starter was rebuilt, battery was load tested and found to be OK. Will not start. Acts like it is not getting enough juice to start. It tries to turn over but just seems too slow and laboring. Where do I start troubleshooting? I am told many problems start with bad grounds, but do not know where to start looking. Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for help, Joe B
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
replace original, internally corroded, main battery cable.
verify and replace ground cables too.
you can not look at cables and say ok looks good.
verify and replace ground cables too.
you can not look at cables and say ok looks good.
Last edited by 69Vett; Aug 9, 2018 at 02:35 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
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From: The Buckle of the Bible Belt. Joplin Mo
Double check your starter connections. If its a recent install, maybe a loose wire. Agree with grounding as a place to start. check where the main ground attaches to the frame and clean it well.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2018
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Thanks to one and all for responses. I will check all connections starting with the battery. The battery cables have been replaced. I did check with two "good" batteries. This car has had problems since I bought her in 2001. Had to put a battery disconnect in to stop battery from going dead while sitting. Have kept trickle charger/maintainer on battery most of the time. Never had this happen before. I am going to restore car and replace all wiring harnesses. Just wanted to get her back on the road for one last blast once the weather cools down a bit before taking her off the road for what will likely be a couple of years. I will let you all know what I find soon as I get a look.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
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Main Ground Wire
Where do I look for this main ground wire? Goes from block to frame I assume so somewhere in the front? Do I need to look from underneath? Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
The ground cable going from the right-front frame to the motor mount & starter front mounting bracket is IMPORTANT!. INADEQUATE CURRENT will get to the starter unless that ground wire is present and in good condition (not swiss cheese inside the insulation). The engine might start if that cable were not there; but it would have to get ground by some other pathway and you WOULD have starting problems.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Aug 12, 2018 at 06:49 AM.
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The really important one is batt neg terminal to frame. Once cable leaves the batt box, it is only a couple 3 feet to back of trans. A second big ground run there, I think, would make sense.
Last edited by derekderek; Aug 12, 2018 at 07:12 AM.
Race Director
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From: SW Florida.
69vette sez you can't look at a battery cable and say OK, looks good. You can look at a cable and say it looks good. You can't tell it will pass enough or any amps. But you can tell it looks good.
Last edited by derekderek; Aug 12, 2018 at 07:18 AM.