Fired up after 20 years
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Fired up after 20 years
I Am starting to get a 71 corvette that has ben in storage for over 20 years. In the process of elimination I ran a wire directly from the battery to the coil which did the trick.I got it running know I need to figure out where the problem is with the ignition, and where to start.
Any ideas ???
Any ideas ???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Very broad area of question. Fault could be one or combo of many.
Suggest first have these in hand:
1971 vette wiring diagram (Dr Rebuild sells em)
Common, inexpensive test light
Common, inexpensive basic voltmeter-ohmmeter
Basic knowledge of diagram & tool use
FYI ... 71 has vacuum operated systems not found on most cars ... 71 also has fiber-optic lamp monitor system. Dr Rebuild sells diagrams for those 2 also.
Suggest first have these in hand:
1971 vette wiring diagram (Dr Rebuild sells em)
Common, inexpensive test light
Common, inexpensive basic voltmeter-ohmmeter
Basic knowledge of diagram & tool use
FYI ... 71 has vacuum operated systems not found on most cars ... 71 also has fiber-optic lamp monitor system. Dr Rebuild sells diagrams for those 2 also.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,278
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 71,
71... NICE!
Remember on your 71 there is a starter safety switch. An auto car needs to be in Park or Neutral, and a 4-speed car needs to have the cutch depressed in order to start.
Maybe?
Regards,
Alan
71... NICE!
Remember on your 71 there is a starter safety switch. An auto car needs to be in Park or Neutral, and a 4-speed car needs to have the cutch depressed in order to start.
Maybe?
Regards,
Alan
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
You have to be more specific. Did the engine turn over with the key but not start? Did nothing happen when you turned the key?
A car that has been sitting for that long could have lots of wiring issues. Mice love to re-wire old cars. For some reason they think insulation is candy and copper wires should all touch each other.
Rick B.
A car that has been sitting for that long could have lots of wiring issues. Mice love to re-wire old cars. For some reason they think insulation is candy and copper wires should all touch each other.
Rick B.
Last edited by 72LS1Vette; Aug 24, 2009 at 10:33 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If the car cranked when you installed the direct 12 volt line to the coil, then there is a problem with that "ignition start" circuit. My guess would be that the stamped metal contact finger in the starter solenoid is corroded and is not allowing juice to flow to the coil when activated. Does the starter solenoid "click" when the key is turned? If so, that's your problem. [P.S. It could also be a 'fried' fuse-link in that circuit, but I think that is an unlikely possibility.]
