74 won’t turn over - nothing
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Advanced
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 92
Likes: 1
From: Powser Springs GA
74 won’t turn over - nothing
Was driving my 74 today, all was good. Stopped at grocery store for 10 minutes. When I got back and tried to start, nothing happened when I turned the key. I thought maybe battery, but my Red Top is fine, all lights and electric windows worked great. Engine did not even try to turn over. I played with shifter, (automatic) but no matter what, nothing happens when I turn the key. Any ideas?
Last edited by nykbob; May 6, 2019 at 07:30 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,249
Likes: 221
From: Dryden MI
Neutral safety switch, possibly wires on starter loos or broken. Check wiring on your steering column not fully seated. Then it could be the starter. Assuming the grounds are good. Sometimes taping on the starter with a hammer can get it running not too hard though.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
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From: SW Florida.
also see if any dash lights change as you turn key from on to crank. the switch is activated by a rod hung on column a few inches below the key. could be loose, bad contacts, etc. if nothing shows on dash as you crank, it probably isn't moving far enough to make contact.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 6
Likes: 4
From: Oklahoma
Having the same issue.
My 71 neutral switch was acting up and then would start in any position (automatic). Pulled into garage and turned off motor. Tried starting it again and nothing. Bypassed neutral switch. Still nothing. Will try the suggestions above tomorrow. Thanks to everyone’s help.
Race Director
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
My 77 did just this one day. Bump started the car and got it home. Found a connector (plastic) to the right of the wiper motor (as your sitting in the car). That's not shown in the factory wiring wiring manual. The wire is the one going to the solenoid to ingage the starter. Cut out this bad connector. Car fired right up. I then put a relay in at that location to take the load off the starter and clutch switches. Hope this helps
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1st Gear
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1
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I had a problem like this with my '73 - it started every time when it was cold but wouldn't start after it had warmed up. In my case the engine was poorly grounded and heat added enough impedance the starter wouldn't crank. I replaced the engine ground wire with 0 gauge cable and new connectors and the engine starts every time now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
Exactly!
Heat soak on the starter. VERY COMMON.
1. You don't need a new starter rebuild the solenoid....which means clean it and re-assemble with some thick lube on the pivots *bendix).
2. Clean the pinion and shaft.
3. Paint it if you will (scrape the paint off the mating surfaces!) THAT'S a GROUND.
4. Clean all terminals shiny.
5. Get a starter heat shield and install.
OR keep a spray bottle of water around! Don't laugh...it works almost instantly!
Unkahal
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 6
Likes: 4
From: Oklahoma
Still no start — location of starter relay / fuses
I’m learning as I go....have replaced the known bad neutral switch following the excellent write up and pictures in the forum. Verified the starter and solenoid work by using a screwdriver to crank engine. Multimeter shows no voltage at “s” terminal on solenoid When key is held in start position.
Not sure where starter relay located or which fuse(s) are part of system.
Not sure where starter relay located or which fuse(s) are part of system.
Last edited by Greg71; May 11, 2019 at 02:15 PM. Reason: Not finished
1969/1971/2021 Coupes
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Port Huron MI
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Happened to my 76 last summer.After going all winter without starting it, I remembered the little trick we used to do as kids with no money. I tapped on the started "lightly" with a hammer and it turned right over and started. Not saying that is your problem but just a backyard and cheap method of troubleshooting the starter.
Last edited by HOOAH; May 11, 2019 at 02:16 PM.
Race Director
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From: Salt Lake City Utah
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Not sure about 74, but my 81 did this once and it was the ant-theft system, just recycled the door locks with the key and it fired right off.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
There is no relay unless somebody added it later. Hitting with hammer causes worn brushes to make contact and tells you you need a starter. Put a piece of wire on S terminal. Long enough to reach battery. That will tell you if it is the starter or the circuit that fires it.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 95
Likes: 10
From: North Central IL.
My 77 did just this one day. Bump started the car and got it home. Found a connector (plastic) to the right of the wiper motor (as your sitting in the car). That's not shown in the factory wiring wiring manual. The wire is the one going to the solenoid to engage the starter. Cut out this bad connector. Car fired right up. I then put a relay in at that location to take the load off the starter and clutch switches. Hope this helps
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
...could possibly have a very corroded negative ground cable coming off of your battery to the frame. My old '75 did this(had enough juice for lights, windows, etc.)but not enough juice to spin the starter. The cable where it connects to the frame below the battery was swelled up three times it's normal size. I cut the sheathing off and the metal cable inside was just all corroded with a white powdery substance. I replaced it with a new cable and it started instantly.
...about 10yrs ago when my '74 failed to start it was due to that interlock relay under the hood went bad and I by-passed it under the silver cover with the black button and to this day works great.
...about 10yrs ago when my '74 failed to start it was due to that interlock relay under the hood went bad and I by-passed it under the silver cover with the black button and to this day works great.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 6
Likes: 4
From: Oklahoma
Replaced starter.
There is no relay unless somebody added it later. Hitting with hammer causes worn brushes to make contact and tells you you need a starter. Put a piece of wire on S terminal. Long enough to reach battery. That will tell you if it is the starter or the circuit that fires it.
Found this looking for my no start issue. Was told this is a relay for the ac/heater fan.
Obviously seen better ( cooler) days. Replaced with new relay and connectors
Ended up starter / solenoid replaced and all seems good..... for now
Mechanic found loose motor mount bolt (right side front) which is the cause of the “clunk” when placing automatic into drive. Bolt is too long. Can’t tighten down as it hits fuel pump. Can’t back it out.... header in the way. Will tackle this on another day!!
thanks for all the input and suggestions.