C3 Starting Problem Unsolved
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 828
Likes: 2
C3 Starting Problem Unsolved
Hi All,
Thanks for the posts from the last thread.
Here is where we are at:
Pre Hurricane Irene I got stuck and the 77 had to be towed to my home. When I turned the key there was nothing. I connected a long wire with an alligator clip to the start nut on the solenoid and the other end to a test lamp that was in the car. When I turned the key to the start position the test lamp lit but it wouldn't crank. I bought a starter heat cover from MrGasket and replaced the solenoid and all was good. This week I also had to replace the water pump and all was still good. The car was starting and running cool. Then the headlamp switch would not shut off (I just ordered another and it will be here Tuesday) and I went to move the car and nothing,(battery fully charged) the test lamp again and it lit, so I am getting power to the solenoid when I turn the key. I am stumped. Could the starter armature have a fried spot that is dead when it stops on it and I need a complete starter?
I am sick of having it in my head every time I shut the car "will it start?"
Thanks
Jack
77 C3
Thanks for the posts from the last thread.
Here is where we are at:
Pre Hurricane Irene I got stuck and the 77 had to be towed to my home. When I turned the key there was nothing. I connected a long wire with an alligator clip to the start nut on the solenoid and the other end to a test lamp that was in the car. When I turned the key to the start position the test lamp lit but it wouldn't crank. I bought a starter heat cover from MrGasket and replaced the solenoid and all was good. This week I also had to replace the water pump and all was still good. The car was starting and running cool. Then the headlamp switch would not shut off (I just ordered another and it will be here Tuesday) and I went to move the car and nothing,(battery fully charged) the test lamp again and it lit, so I am getting power to the solenoid when I turn the key. I am stumped. Could the starter armature have a fried spot that is dead when it stops on it and I need a complete starter?
I am sick of having it in my head every time I shut the car "will it start?"
Thanks
Jack
77 C3
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 734
Likes: 0
From: Bryan Texas
If the solenoid is still good, you should be hearing a loud click when you try to start it. Clean the battery terminals and the battery ground strap at the frame. Also, make sure the cable connection from the frame to the engine is good.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
A while back I took my 77 to the car wash and it started fine, when I returned home it wouldn't start. spent most of the day tracing wire and it turned out to be a bad Neutral Safety Switch. Took the passenger side center counsel panel off and used a jumper wire until one that I ordered came in. Worth a try.
Ron
Ron
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 734
Likes: 0
From: Bryan Texas
A while back I took my 77 to the car wash and it started fine, when I returned home it wouldn't start. spent most of the day tracing wire and it turned out to be a bad Neutral Safety Switch. Took the passenger side center counsel panel off and used a jumper wire until one that I ordered came in. Worth a try.
Ron
Ron
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 52
From: Dayton, Ohio
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 828
Likes: 2
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
How Likely Are These Five 2027 Corvette Rumors to Be True?
Brett Foote
9 Best Corvettes You Can Buy for Half Price (& 1 You Should NEVER Buy!)
Joe Kucinski
8 Very Best Corvettes of Amelia Island 2026
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 WORST Corvette Engineering Failures of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
10 Records the C8 Corvette Generation Has SMASHED (& 1 Glaring Failure)
Joe Kucinski
7 Wildest Corvette Concepts Ever Made
Brett Foote
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: New Rochelle New York
I just had the same problem with my 82 vette- I fried two starters before I figured it was the ignition switch. Not the one where the key goes in. The switch on the steering column under the dash.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 828
Likes: 2
I had to use an old needle gauge as I misplaced my digital.
I also just picked up another starter, I am sick of pulling them for the same problem. I hope it works.
Thanks
Jack
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Be carefull when you put the starter in not to over tighten the big wire, it can turn the stud a bit in the solenoid and sometimes the solenoid won't make a good connection inside. Most autozone starters etc have been rebuilt more than once and the holes are a bit slopy. Lots of them also are badly assembled. Check it over very closely, if the big stud is a little loose or the one going into the motor isn't straight, it will bind up.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 828
Likes: 2
On Sunday I replaced the starter and water pump. The car is now running at 160 and starting every time.
The old starter must have been burning out the solenoids that I was replacing.
I finally feel that I am getting somewhere and the car runs great. I took it today for a 150 mile drive and in 30 minutes of dead stop traffic it stayed at 160 degrees.
I shut it and it started right up.
Now the water leak going into shop tomorrow.
Thanks all
Jack
The old starter must have been burning out the solenoids that I was replacing.
I finally feel that I am getting somewhere and the car runs great. I took it today for a 150 mile drive and in 30 minutes of dead stop traffic it stayed at 160 degrees.
I shut it and it started right up.
Now the water leak going into shop tomorrow.
Thanks all
Jack
