Electrical Problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 307
Likes: 2
From: McCordsville Indiana
Electrical Problem
Went out to start my 80 coupe,automatic,to attend my first Corvette club meeting and when I turn the key-nothing.I can hear the vent fan run but when I turn the key still nothing. I checked the battery voltage and it is good. Twice last week when I was out cruising,shut it off and when I tried to start it nothing,giggled the key a few times and she did start but very slow,like a low battery,could the problem be ignition switch or possibly solenoid??? 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 0
From: pr, frederick md.
jiggling the key tells me that its your switch. but if not you can also check detent switches, and do you have to have foot on the brake like a newer car? never been in a auto vette, sorry. and then the obvious ones like terminal cleaning. you can have 12v at the battery, but is it getting to the starter? as with any trouble shooting you have to go thru a process of elimination. just follow the current as you test and whever its NOT is most likely your problem
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Do you hear the click of the solenoid...or just nothing? If nothing, your problem may be the neutral start switch, which prevents starting unless that switch is "made". On automatics, that switch resides on the right side of the shifter mechanism under the floor console. If a manual car, the switch is on the clutch pedal (clutch must be in to start). It could be that the switch is defective...or it could be that it just needs adjustment.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Slow turning over would normally indicate a bad power source(check cables, paying attention to grounds)
I would not rule out any component, but it sounds unlikely that your problem is the solenoid or ignition switch.
bad solenoid - typically no starting whatsoever or starter remains engaged
bad ignition switch - no contact to solenoid and therefore no starter engagement
I would not rule out any component, but it sounds unlikely that your problem is the solenoid or ignition switch.
bad solenoid - typically no starting whatsoever or starter remains engaged
bad ignition switch - no contact to solenoid and therefore no starter engagement
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