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Hello folks, I am new to the site. I have a 1968 convertible small block. Yesterday she would not start. I was able to jump her. I let her run for a while. I was able to start her just after that. About two hours later - dead again. I was able to jump start her again. I went to advance and bought a new battery. Started right up. I went to my in-laws and she sat for a couple hours. When I got in her she was dead again. The lights, radio, etc. all work but she will not crank when I turn the key - no clicking, grinding or anything at all, and now I can't even jump start her. I pulled the starter and had it tested. The guy at advance said the starter is good. Any thoughts?
Rookie guess.....
disconnect the ground cable and charge the battery.
The ground cable from the battery negative post bolts to the frame under the car may be corroded inside the cable or the attaching point on the frame may be corroded.
Remove the cable from the frame and sand the frame at that location until fresh metal shows. Also clean the end of the ground cable.
Reinstall the ground cable or even replace it. Try starting the engine.
Let us know if what happens.
From your description I suspect you have excessive parasitic draw and/or a non-performing alternator. Next time you start the car take a voltage reading at the battery terminals and report that.
Have you by any chance used the wipers and interrupted them before they completed a cycle?
Originally Posted by VUguy
Hello folks, I am new to the site. I have a 1968 convertible small block. Yesterday she would not start. I was able to jump her. I let her run for a while. I was able to start her just after that. About two hours later - dead again. I was able to jump start her again. I went to advance and bought a new battery. Started right up. I went to my in-laws and she sat for a couple hours. When I got in her she was dead again. The lights, radio, etc. all work but she will not crank when I turn the key - no clicking, grinding or anything at all, and now I can't even jump start her. I pulled the starter and had it tested. The guy at advance said the starter is good. Any thoughts?
Tell us if you have a stick or automatic transmission?
Next time you can check that the starter works without removing it, just jumper from the big (TOP) solenoid terminal to the 'S' terminal.
And be sure it's in neutral if it's a 4-speed car!
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68s dont have a clutch safety switch stock. A slow draw could be your wiper override isnt turned on. Try using your wipers to see if they work. You may have to squirt water on the windshield to get them to park correctly...its in the AIM.
Your description does sound like you have a fast draw which would probably have burnt a fuse or a fusible link which it hasnt so I would believe DoorGunners idea of a bad ground, bad ground wire or an ignition switch. Being as the ignition switch is in the dash there is no adjustment like a column switch. A quick way to test the ground idea is to take a set of jumper cables and just use the ground side and run the other end to the frame behind the rear wheel. It should reach easy enough and make sure you have a clean connection. Be sure the positive side doesnt slip and fall on the positive battery post...better safe than cooked
Don't forget to check the voltage regulator. On the 68s, it is external and nor part of the alternator. As mentioned, clean all battery, frame and grounding connections. Jerry
Folks,
It was the ground wire on the battery. I swaped out the starter (since it was ancient) to no avail. I then bought a new ground wire, cleaned the frame where it attaches and she fired right up. A lesson learned. Thanks to all who responded.
1968 wont start
