Strange no-start issue
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 613
Likes: 3
From: Fleetwood PA
Strange no-start issue
I'm not sure if it was just a quirky thing, but the other night I was at a local car show in my 68 BB and stopped on the way home at the local pub.
After a couple beverages I go to leave and the car turned over once and stopped. When I tried to start it again....nothing but the relay click.
It's a 4 sp with no neutral switch or any other ignition lock out. The battery was fine, all the wires to the solenoid were tight, lights all worked, so i tried it a number of times and nothing but the click(more of a thunk with the old relays). After looking over everything again I tried again, and it fired right up. (the starter is new btw) I did grab a small rock to put under the tire so that I could have my foot off the clutch and brake without it rolling the last time I tried to start it.
The only thing I noticed was that the ammeter would go all the way left(low volts) when I turned the key.
I've taken it out a couple of times since then with no issues, so I'm a little stumped as to what caused the problem, and a little leery that it may happen again.
After a couple beverages I go to leave and the car turned over once and stopped. When I tried to start it again....nothing but the relay click.
It's a 4 sp with no neutral switch or any other ignition lock out. The battery was fine, all the wires to the solenoid were tight, lights all worked, so i tried it a number of times and nothing but the click(more of a thunk with the old relays). After looking over everything again I tried again, and it fired right up. (the starter is new btw) I did grab a small rock to put under the tire so that I could have my foot off the clutch and brake without it rolling the last time I tried to start it.
The only thing I noticed was that the ammeter would go all the way left(low volts) when I turned the key.
I've taken it out a couple of times since then with no issues, so I'm a little stumped as to what caused the problem, and a little leery that it may happen again.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Wichita KS
I am actually experiencing same on my 74. My guage also goes hard left, which tells me that power is getting through the ignition switch. Initially, I'm thinking the starter solenoid may be the culprit, but still researching. Since I have an automatic trans, I'm also looking at the neutral safety switch.
I'll follow this thread for additional replies to your post.
I'll follow this thread for additional replies to your post.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Sounds like a normal 68 BB to me! 
It takes a lot of juice to turn that starter. With mine, cold starts are always vigorous, and hot starts are always painfully slow (I am talking about the starter cranking speed). I have a green wheel battery cutoff switch that sometimes causes the same symptoms you describe, ie click click with no crank. I tighten up the switch and then it will crank.
Sometimes it helps to speak to your car in a soft loving tone... never yell! ("Sweetie, is it ok if we go home now? Feel like starting up?" )
It takes a lot of juice to turn that starter. With mine, cold starts are always vigorous, and hot starts are always painfully slow (I am talking about the starter cranking speed). I have a green wheel battery cutoff switch that sometimes causes the same symptoms you describe, ie click click with no crank. I tighten up the switch and then it will crank.
Sometimes it helps to speak to your car in a soft loving tone... never yell! ("Sweetie, is it ok if we go home now? Feel like starting up?" )
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 3
From: CA
Sounds like a normal 68 BB to me!
It takes a lot of juice to turn that starter. With mine, cold starts are always vigorous, and hot starts are always painfully slow (I am talking about the starter cranking speed). I have a green wheel battery cutoff switch that sometimes causes the same symptoms you describe, ie click click with no crank. I tighten up the switch and then it will crank.
Sometimes it helps to speak to your car in a soft loving tone... never yell! ("Sweetie, is it ok if we go home now? Feel like starting up?" )
It takes a lot of juice to turn that starter. With mine, cold starts are always vigorous, and hot starts are always painfully slow (I am talking about the starter cranking speed). I have a green wheel battery cutoff switch that sometimes causes the same symptoms you describe, ie click click with no crank. I tighten up the switch and then it will crank.
Sometimes it helps to speak to your car in a soft loving tone... never yell! ("Sweetie, is it ok if we go home now? Feel like starting up?" )
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 737
Likes: 3
From: Pennington NJ
Sounds like a starter heat soak issue, I have a 350 '74 with heddman headers that run close to the starter. The starter is brand new and about 3 instances, after running it to operating temp, it wont crank, theres not even a solenoid clicking sound. I checked and theres definitely power getting there. I installed a heat shield blanket from jegs, but I havent been able to drive it since so its untested, but it should fix it.
Will
Will
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,011
Likes: 166
From: Milford Michigan
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 221
From: Beecher Illinois
Similar discussion here...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...blem-help.html
My situation was just needing a WELL charged battery.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...blem-help.html
My situation was just needing a WELL charged battery.
