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Tech Help: 72 lost all power while in Reverse?

Old Jul 9, 2011 | 03:20 PM
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Default Tech Help: 72 lost all power while in Reverse?

Just came back from a trip around town.
At one point during the ride, I did pull into a parking lot, put the car in reverse and it sounded like it was not getting enough fuel or something.
Drove the car around and came home. Left it running while I put the T-Tops back on. Got in started to back up, lining it up to back into garage.
It again sounded like not getting fuel and just died. It won't crank nothing. When you turn the key, nothing happens. The battery is connected etc. as the lights and everything come on when you open the door. Even the annoying buzzer thingamajig.

Does this sound like a fuse or a switch or wire or something like that?
I've gotta believe this has happened to someone else. Maybe ignition is hot or something? It is very hot out here today.

We pushed it into the garage and it's safe and sound and cooling down.

Anything i can try before calling the local Vette shop to come out and kick her back to life?
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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 03:24 PM
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Auto trans ?
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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by ...Roger...
Auto trans ?
Sorry. Yes. Auto trans. Air
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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 03:32 PM
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Did you try starting in neutral ?
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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 03:32 PM
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Id check for a bad neutral safety switch first
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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 03:37 PM
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Originally Posted by AzMotorhead
Id check for a bad neutral safety switch first
Can you point me in the right direction to check it?
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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 03:54 PM
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RESOLVED! Well.. for the moment. The reverse power loss made me think "switch". Went out to the car and started to unscrew the four screws holding down the shifter console plate. At the moment, I had the epiphany.. tilt the wheel and see what happens. VRROOOMM !
Car starts.

Sounds like a bad ignition switch or something in the column? Either the movement of the tilt wheel made a difference or 10 minutes of cooling down did at that very instant. I'm going with the switch.

Any objections, comments or better ideas?
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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 03:54 PM
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oh.. and it would not start in neutral (or any gear for that matter) prior to the resolution
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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 04:02 PM
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I think your going to have to work with it a little to see what makes it screw up.
The reverse loss of power is a bit odd, the shifter does move the lockout in the column,I've seen the ground missing from the front left motor mount allowing the engine to ground through the shift cable (not good).
Hopefully you found the gremlin in the column,keep us posted with new info,maybe we can piece together the puzzle.
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