1974 Intermittent Starting Issue
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 737
Likes: 3
From: Pennington NJ
1974 Intermittent Starting Issue
Hello-
Recently, my 1974 Corvette has had some trouble starting. When I turn the key to start, the starter motor sometimes wont crank, even though it is only about 7 months old (The problem is getting more common, pretty much every attempt to start this occurs). The ammeter shows a large draw on the battery (So the starter is getting power) and to further show that the electrics are fine, the clutch safety switch, when the clutch is not depressed, makes it so there is no draw on the bettery, shown by the ammeter. I think it may be the solenoid contacts, as it will sometimes slightly turn the starter over until it gets to a "good spot" in the contacts- the hitting the starter/solenoid trick works sometimes. Since the issue is pretty much settled to be the starter/solenoid, is my problem the starter itself (The brushes?) or the solenoid contacts?
Please let me know if you have any ideas!
Thanks,
Will
Recently, my 1974 Corvette has had some trouble starting. When I turn the key to start, the starter motor sometimes wont crank, even though it is only about 7 months old (The problem is getting more common, pretty much every attempt to start this occurs). The ammeter shows a large draw on the battery (So the starter is getting power) and to further show that the electrics are fine, the clutch safety switch, when the clutch is not depressed, makes it so there is no draw on the bettery, shown by the ammeter. I think it may be the solenoid contacts, as it will sometimes slightly turn the starter over until it gets to a "good spot" in the contacts- the hitting the starter/solenoid trick works sometimes. Since the issue is pretty much settled to be the starter/solenoid, is my problem the starter itself (The brushes?) or the solenoid contacts?
Please let me know if you have any ideas!
Thanks,
Will
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
There is a connector just to the right side and behind the distributor for the starter extension harness. I've seen a couple of them dirty, partially disconnected or just plain burned up. If it's bad, it will cause start problems. On the good side, if the wires down to the starter are really bad, you can replace that short harness for way less than a new engine harness.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
There is a connector just to the right side and behind the distributor for the starter extension harness. I've seen a couple of them dirty, partially disconnected or just plain burned up. If it's bad, it will cause start problems. On the good side, if the wires down to the starter are really bad, you can replace that short harness for way less than a new engine harness.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Yes, I can't see a connecting plug in that area on my 1974. My car starts well with no problem so I'll leave it be. Things are just greasy so I will just clean/tidy up. I thought of cutting/replacing the starter wires with new and shrink-wrapping, etc. but I know me and I will invite trouble.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Brentwood TN
I had a similar problem and it turned out to be 1) a bad ground cable 2) I powder coated my frame and we had to grind off the powder coating where the ground cable bolts up.
This problem drove me crazy - I replaced everything and finally took it to a auto electical specialst - I couldn't believe the powder coating caused a problem but it did ....
This problem drove me crazy - I replaced everything and finally took it to a auto electical specialst - I couldn't believe the powder coating caused a problem but it did ....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Yes, I can't see a connecting plug in that area on my 1974. My car starts well with no problem so I'll leave it be. Things are just greasy so I will just clean/tidy up. I thought of cutting/replacing the starter wires with new and shrink-wrapping, etc. but I know me and I will invite trouble.
#2 It ain't broke- don't fix it!
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 737
Likes: 3
From: Pennington NJ
Thanks for all of the replies. I checked all of my wiring and the grounds and it all seems to check out. Since it is a new (rebuilt) starter, I am just getting it replaced/fixed on warranty. I should have it tomorrow, Ill let you guys know how it makes out.
Thanks again,
Will
Thanks again,
Will
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
If its a 74 and it won't start you should check this out.
http://home.comcast.net/~vettfixr/page16.htm
http://home.comcast.net/~vettfixr/page16.htm
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 737
Likes: 3
From: Pennington NJ
Thanks to you all again, I got it figured out! It was a faulty starter afterall, I got a replacement one on warranty and installed it and she fired right up! All I had to do was some shimming so it didnt whine/grind (dont want to lose my flywheel ring gear or starter teeth!). But of course something always pops up.....I discovered my proportioning valve is leaking and that my rear master cylinder resevoir was pretty much empty. Oh well....it was the only part of the brake system not replaced because it was good at that time, but now its 37 year old self finally failed. But this is for another thread!
vettfixr- Thanks for the idea, luckily it wasnt that. You have a really nice car BTW! Also greetings from Pennington, NJ
Thanks again,
Will
vettfixr- Thanks for the idea, luckily it wasnt that. You have a really nice car BTW! Also greetings from Pennington, NJ
Thanks again,
Will
