C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

71 C3 not turning over

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 14, 2009 | 11:32 AM
  #1  
gibbosC3's Avatar
gibbosC3
Thread Starter
Navigator
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Default 71 C3 not turning over

Hi Guys, you've probably answered this many times before, but my vette has been sitting for several months on a trickle charger, I have just gone to start it, and all I get is the solenoid click. I pulled out the starter motor cleaned it up, tried it out of the car, no problem, put it back in, still just a solenoid click. I have cleaned up the terminals, still nothing. Any help greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2009 | 12:00 PM
  #2  
Paul Borowski's Avatar
Paul Borowski
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,457
Likes: 463
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Default

...just went through this last fall with my '68 convertible. I learned just because you charged the battery does not mean it is strong enough to turn the motor. I did the same thing you did-pulled the starter, cleaned the terminals, etc. Still nothing. Pushed the car outside, jumped it from my Ford Ranger and it started right up. Bought a brand new battery and an hour later and it's been fine ever since.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2009 | 12:24 PM
  #3  
gibbosC3's Avatar
gibbosC3
Thread Starter
Navigator
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Default

Cheers Paul, I will give it a go, I thought it must be a battery prob but when I put a meter across the terminals it was as you say fine, it makes sense that it hasn't got enough guts to turn over, as its a big lump. Heres hoping.
Cheers
Steve
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2009 | 08:16 PM
  #4  
vettebuyer6369's Avatar
vettebuyer6369
Administrator
25 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,986
Likes: 6,212
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Default

You might get more help in a section other than the "For Sale" side.

Try C3 General or Tech.
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2009 | 04:04 AM
  #5  
gibbosC3's Avatar
gibbosC3
Thread Starter
Navigator
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Default

I did want it to go under technical, but whatever I did wrong ( and I couldn't tell you what I did), it came up under for sale. I guess because that was the last heading I was looking at. But hopefully the reply I got could be the answer anyway.
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2009 | 12:21 PM
  #6  
gibbosC3's Avatar
gibbosC3
Thread Starter
Navigator
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Default

Just put a new battery in, and still the same problem, all I can hear is the solenoid click when I turn the key. What I dont understand is, that there must be power at the starter motor if the solenoid is clicking, like I say the starter worked out of the car?? Any help at all greatly appreciated.
Steve
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2009 | 12:44 PM
  #7  
Kevin_73's Avatar
Kevin_73
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,804
Likes: 4
From: Standing still with all my might Texas
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09-'11
Default

Check the engine block ground cable.
If I remember correctly, on my 73 it connects between the front passenger side motor mount bolt and the frame.
It may be a strap instead of a cable on a 71.

At any rate, first make sure it is there and not broken, then check the connections to be sure they are clean (no corrosion, rust, or oil) and tight.
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2009 | 01:35 PM
  #8  
gibbosC3's Avatar
gibbosC3
Thread Starter
Navigator
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Default

Sussed it, cleaned all the earth points, still nothing, and after hours of head scratching, found it to be the gearbox neutral safety switch. Just pleased its running again. Many thanks guys.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 71 C3 not turning over

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:10 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE