I recently picked up a 1974 car from a friend. The car has been sitting for about 11 years. Some of those years it may have been messed with and maybe started some. The car has for sure sat for 5 years with no one messing with it. I put a new battery in it, checked the oil and made sure it had good gas in it. When I tried to start it I had nothing. When I turn the key on there is no power to anything. I do have power at the starter as I can jump the solenoid manually and it will turn over. I have looked at all the wiring and found a few noticeable problems. There is a 12 gauge or so red wire coming off the solenoid and runs about 6 inches and is cut and stripped. There is another red wire the same size right beside it that is also stripped the same way but it is grounded. There is also a yellow wire coming from the starter and a purple wire that comes up and splits off and goes to a couple places. I know if I put power to the purple wire it will also turn the engine over. I have seen a couple diagrams but they are so confusing for me to try to read it doesn’t help me much. Can someone help me figure out how to get power to the key switch?

 

Papawana has wiring diagrams for all C-3s . Search for 68-82 wiring diagrams for anyone. Be very careful hooking wires up , or you'll be getting new fusible links. Use a volt meter to test for power , and potentially grounds.

Good luck, and maybe someone has photos of the actual wiring connections.

 

Almost sounds like with all those interrupted wires they might have gone to some sort of anti-theft thingamagig that has been removed.

 

At the base of your steering column near the firewall (inside the car), is an ignition switch. This is what gives power to your starter solenoid when you turn the key. "S" Start Wire shown below.
The key tumbler is hooked to a long steel rod that goes down the column to this solenoid.
I had similar problems with my 1972 when I bought it. In fact, the previous owner actually had a hidden toggle switch to start the car..

Limber yourself up because this is a PIA to get to.
The link below is for non Tilt & Telescoping column..

https://www.zip-corvette.com/69-79-w...on-switch.html

 

I found 2 more pics on my phone from when I rewired my entire car this past Winter.

Hope this helps!!

Starter Switch location

Starter wiring diagram

 

Thank you. I will look there for a diagram

 

Thank you. I will look for this tomorrow

 

that picture is the solenoid on the starter, the switch he speaks of is in the link. It is a little confusing the way the pics are set up without an identifier or break in the layout