OK, so ever since I bought my 76 it had a leak from the radiator. A high performance aluminum radiator that was VERY EXPENSIVE (at least for me) to replace. So for a while I dealt with topping off the radiator every time I drove it. Then I got a buddy who welds aluminum to fix it up for me. Got everything welded up and back to tip top shape and fired it up. First start blew the head gasket and I drove it home that way. (Bad idea) I cracked the driver's side head and had to replace the head, water pump, head gasket, some push rods, and adjust the timing (been wrong). So after all this I drove the vette ONE DAY, and then it died. I turn the key and get no power to anything in the car. If I jump arc over the solenoid the car will turn over great but won't start. I got it going by wiggling and messing with wires under the dash. It ran just long enough to get it home and now nothing again. So after checking with a multimeter ALL OVER THE CAR and finding power mostly where it should be I think the ignition switch is bad. When I got it running there was some burnt electrical smell from the steering collum area. However, I can't find the ignition switch. I've got the dash out and have been under here for a while, but I can't find the switch. I know it is supposed to be on the collum around the brake pedal area. I was wondering if anyone could post a picture showing the location so I might be able to find it easier?

 

These are from a '74 but I think they are the same.



Here's a video on the how to remove the wiring connectors. If I remember correctly you must remove the black connector in the rear first. There is a tab on the front connector that is underneath the black connector and you can't get the white one off without removing the black one.

http://s413.photobucket.com/user/my7...5d7f9.mp4.html

 

Thank you so much. That video should help a lot. Did you remove the dash or unbolt the steering collum to get to the switch?

 

Drop the column.

 

I dropped the column.

 

I'd like to piggy-back off this thread. I've got a similar situation I think. Reinstalled the engine recently and got it started. Unfortunately we had a ground wire (from the wiper motor?) on the same terminal as the battery cable on the solenoid - not sure if that damaged anything or not - wiper fuse was blown.

The car ran and we started it a few times over the next few days, then nothing. Replaced the very old, weak battery and started digging. Fuse links @ starter are OK, neutral safety switch is OK, getting 12v to starter, can get car started jumping between battery stud on solenoid and the S terminal or from the battery to the purple (purple/white?) wire inside the cabin going to the solenoid (from the neutral safety switch). Got the ignition switch wiring harnesses/plugs undone today and have continuity from the purple wire there over to the neutral safety switch.

I too noticed a burned smell when I started poking around under the dash but don't see anything yet. All the lights work when the key is turned on but we get nothing from the START position. The key feels a little hard to turn. When the ignition switch was disconnected from the steering column it was much easier to turn so I know it's not the key lock or the connecting rod.

It's a 76 and there's a pink, red, brown and purple/white wire in the white plug/harness. Does the 'power' to the switch come through the horn relay, from the fuse block, or somewhere else? I've got a couple of wiring diagrams but I guess I only half (maybe) understand them.

Suggestions on what to try next? Replace the switch? Horn relay? Both?

Thanks

 

Here's some Pics of my '76:

http://s189.photobucket.com/user/dob...?sort=3&page=1

 

Thanks. Didn't get my rag joint apart. It's soaking in Liquid Wrench but the fasteners are being stubborn. I hope I can leave it alone. I've got a new switch and a horn relay. The pictures helped out.

 

Well it or they did the job. Now to put it back together, get the interior in, new exhaust, and paint.

Thanks