77 Vette ignition problems
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
77 Vette ignition problems
My '77 Vette will not start after a short drive. The lights come on and everything else seems to work.
I have replaced the following: Starter switch, lock and key tumbler, Starter, Neutral safety switch, Negative/Ground battery cable to the frame. Battery is only 6 months old. I replaced the Neutral safety switch because the wiring was bad. After that I started it up 15 times in my garage on Saturday. I even let it run 15-20 minutes and then restarted it fine. I went to drive it last night and went 3 miles and went into a store and came out and nothing. The lights, radio, etc work but no click, nothing. Tried to jump start the battery thinking something was draining it and still nothing. The Starter solenoid is very close to the Headers but there is heat shield wrapping it lays against.
Took the Starter out this morning and had it checked at AutoZone and it was fine. Still will not start.
I am baffled to say they least.
I have replaced the following: Starter switch, lock and key tumbler, Starter, Neutral safety switch, Negative/Ground battery cable to the frame. Battery is only 6 months old. I replaced the Neutral safety switch because the wiring was bad. After that I started it up 15 times in my garage on Saturday. I even let it run 15-20 minutes and then restarted it fine. I went to drive it last night and went 3 miles and went into a store and came out and nothing. The lights, radio, etc work but no click, nothing. Tried to jump start the battery thinking something was draining it and still nothing. The Starter solenoid is very close to the Headers but there is heat shield wrapping it lays against.
Took the Starter out this morning and had it checked at AutoZone and it was fine. Still will not start.
I am baffled to say they least.
Instructor
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 177
Likes: 35
From: pa
I had the same starting issues with my 69 Camaro.sometimes it would start and next time nothing.i went down to the starter and ran another wire off the S terminal (ign key wire).made it long enough to reach the battery or you could use alternator battery wire. the first time it failed to start I hit the temporary wire on the battery and the starter cranked. I knew my problem was not getting voltage on my key switch wire. next I jumped out the clutch switch and never had another starting issue with the car. I even replaced the clutch switch a few years earlier because p.o. had it tiewired closed.my guess was junk aftermarket parts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
H-Bomb, you say you changed the starter, did you also change the solenoid, or did you swap the old one to the new starter? Corroded solenoids can often exhibit the same symptoms you describe.
Good luck, and let us know how it works out... GUSTO
Good luck, and let us know how it works out... GUSTO
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
