1978 wont start Help
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
1978 wont start Help
Well guys I’m back. Here the run down as stated before. I took my 78 vette out for a ride. Let the car warm up as usual, went to leave she stalled twice (not normal behavior), took her around the block didn’t want to push her. I park her back in garage. The next day go to try again the car is dead. No click under hood nothing no accessories zero except headlights. I only have headlights (they don’t dim) the new battery is fully charged. Now, I tried everything suggested by you guys. Cleaned battery, checked neutral switch, the car year doesn’t have a fusible link.
Many other suggestions? Without bring the car to mechanic bc he’s on vacation until the 28th. He said it shoulda like fusible link or fuse block issue.
Thanks everyone for any insight, tutorials
Many other suggestions? Without bring the car to mechanic bc he’s on vacation until the 28th. He said it shoulda like fusible link or fuse block issue.
Thanks everyone for any insight, tutorials
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
I with interpon on this one. My 78 start was faulty, and like Foster, new battery. Traced the ground from the block to the frame near the starter and found the ground wired frayed hanging on by only a few strands. Replaced and that problem went away! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
Does sound like a fusible link. In '78 there are three: one is for the headlights another other is for everything else except the underhood light that has its own very close to the lamp .
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,249
Likes: 221
From: Dryden MI
Sounds like a fuel issue. Fuel pump, old or bad gas, try the old trick of pouring a very small amount of gas down the carb. This could be dangerous if the car backfires, don’t do it in the garage. Is your rotors and cap OK and not cracked? Check a few spark plugs, are the wet with gas? Are you getting spark? Coil ok and wire fully seated?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,249
Likes: 221
From: Dryden MI
For your car to run, you need spark (properly timed), fuel and compression. Pull your coil wire and hold the end close to a ground, have someone try to start it and watch for a spark jumping from the cable to ground. If there, do the same with a spark plug. Be careful of getting shocked, might be able to use wooden tongs. See if the end of plug is wet with gas. Make sure your rotor is turning, I have seen the shaft that turns the rotor wear out. You can also use a timing lite for these tests if you have one and not worry about getting shocked.
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Instructor
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 153
Likes: 15
From: CT
Well guys I’m back. Here the run down as stated before. I took my 78 vette out for a ride. Let the car warm up as usual, went to leave she stalled twice (not normal behavior), took her around the block didn’t want to push her. I park her back in garage. The next day go to try again the car is dead. No click under hood nothing no accessories zero except headlights. I only have headlights (they don’t dim) the new battery is fully charged. Now, I tried everything suggested by you guys. Cleaned battery, checked neutral switch, the car year doesn’t have a fusible link.
Many other suggestions? Without bring the car to mechanic bc he’s on vacation until the 28th. He said it shoulda like fusible link or fuse block issue.
Thanks everyone for any insight, tutorials
Many other suggestions? Without bring the car to mechanic bc he’s on vacation until the 28th. He said it shoulda like fusible link or fuse block issue.
Thanks everyone for any insight, tutorials
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 327
Likes: 75
From: west mi. / ms. gulf coast
I think you guys should read the entire original posting. He states the car is dead, no power to turn over the car. So pouring gas down the carb or changing the plugs isn't going to help the no power to the starter problem. Now my car had similar problem and it was the ground cable to frame connection. On another car I had I had lights but wouldn't turn over , 12+ volta on the battery. I jumped it and it started right up. The battery had volts but dead shorted with no amps to crank the starter. Try jump starting it and see what happens. If nothing look at the ground cable at the frame attachment point and the cable end to see if is corroded it is right below the battery on the crossmember.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,249
Likes: 221
From: Dryden MI
I think you guys should read the entire original posting. He states the car is dead, no power to turn over the car. So pouring gas down the carb or changing the plugs isn't going to help the no power to the starter problem. Now my car had similar problem and it was the ground cable to frame connection. On another car I had I had lights but wouldn't turn over , 12+ volta on the battery. I jumped it and it started right up. The battery had volts but dead shorted with no amps to crank the starter. Try jump starting it and see what happens. If nothing look at the ground cable at the frame attachment point and the cable end to see if is corroded it is right below the battery on the crossmember.
I was under the impression it was stalling, and would not start the next day. My suggestions were for a car that at least turns over. Not sure how he expected it to do anything if it’s not turning over. I did not consider that someone would pour a little gas in the carb thinking that would make it=t turn over! My bad!