Engine won't start
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
Engine won't start
Hi all. I have a '73 with stock setup. I have had the car for ~1 year and has ran great with no major issues. On a recent drive I noticed the engine temp was getting high after a short drive(was always solid at 190 even in Pheonix summer) and was apporaching ~220. When parked, i saw that coolant was leaking so tried to pull the hood and the hood cable broke! Fast forward 2 weeks(very busy) and I finally got the hood open. Leak coming from water pump gasket. Started car and put up on ramps(took a few goes to get the car up the ramp with low coolant) and before I started any work on the car, tried to start the car again(forgot to check if water pump was working) however car would not start nor did it sound like the starter would engage(was getting a low clicking noise however sounded like it was coming from driver side). Engine was only on for a few minutes with low coolant. I've checked battery and getting a good 12.3V and all electrics in car functioning. Any ideas? Could I have blown a fuse? Engine seized after short time? Disturbed some wiring during my hood release work?
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 172
Likes: 3
From: Hesperia California
wont start
As in previous post, hook up battery charger. Put charger in start/high position and see if the car will start, the clicking your hearing on the pass side of the car is the starter solenoid. Battery cranking power to low or bad starter solenoid,If your car starts with the charger on the battery, shut it off and charge your battery,if after a day or two it will not start again have the battery tested, if the battery is good you probably have a bad starter/solenoid. Good Luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,426
Likes: 1,559
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
On the Battery & the frame & at the starter.
You might want to make sure the + & - connections are all clean and tight.
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Lake Mills Wisconsin
how to get the hood open
Chris sorry to jump off topic, but how did you get the hood open?
I have a 75 Vette and only the passenger side will pop, anyone have any idea how to get the hood open and how to adjust it?
I have a 75 Vette and only the passenger side will pop, anyone have any idea how to get the hood open and how to adjust it?
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
To get hood open
Thanks all for your suggestions. I will give it a go at the weekend and let you know if I make any progress.
On the stuck hood, I tried going under the car and thats how I opened the passenger side however could not access the drivers side. So I used the method described in many posts here by popping out the small plastic blank off in the wiper well area and used a long screw driver to find the latch. I have to say it took me a good hour to get it and its a complete pita however the method does work.
On the stuck hood, I tried going under the car and thats how I opened the passenger side however could not access the drivers side. So I used the method described in many posts here by popping out the small plastic blank off in the wiper well area and used a long screw driver to find the latch. I have to say it took me a good hour to get it and its a complete pita however the method does work.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
When you crawled under the car to open the hood from the passenger side, where you near the starter area. There are wires from that which go back to the battery and the coil. You may have broken one of those wires which could lead to your starting/charging problems.
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