1969 Corvette will not start
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Palm Bay Florida
1969 Corvette will not start
All of a sudden my beloved vete will not start.. No power delivered anywhere whatsoever when turning the key to the "start" mode.
I'm just getting started with the diagnostics..but immediately I am puzzled.. Battery is strong ...I have access to the wires coming out of the steering column.. when I put my light on the purple wire coming out of the column . I do get power .. but just in the "run" mode of the ignition switch position.. This doesn't seem right. I would expect to get power to this wire just in the "start" mode .. right??
Help!!
I'm just getting started with the diagnostics..but immediately I am puzzled.. Battery is strong ...I have access to the wires coming out of the steering column.. when I put my light on the purple wire coming out of the column . I do get power .. but just in the "run" mode of the ignition switch position.. This doesn't seem right. I would expect to get power to this wire just in the "start" mode .. right??
Help!!
Le Mans Master
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Stick or auto?
Hi and Welcome,
Where are you testing? At the neutral safety switch or clutch switch and with the key in START?
Not at the harmonica connection, right.
http://www.vetteprojects.com/bmv/mis...tte%201969.pdf
Where are you testing? At the neutral safety switch or clutch switch and with the key in START?
Not at the harmonica connection, right.
http://www.vetteprojects.com/bmv/mis...tte%201969.pdf
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Palm Bay Florida
I have a manual transmission..
Ha! I just figured out what you meant by the harmonica location... yes that is where I am testing.. the purple wire coming out of this connector.
I have disconnected the purple clutch safety switch wires and connected them together.
My quandary is .. why am I getting power to the harmonica purple in the run mode of the ignition switch?? Is this normal?
.. and if I am getting power to this wire with the clutch safety switch out of the loop . why don't I hear my solenoid/starter respond?
Thanks
Ha! I just figured out what you meant by the harmonica location... yes that is where I am testing.. the purple wire coming out of this connector.
I have disconnected the purple clutch safety switch wires and connected them together.
My quandary is .. why am I getting power to the harmonica purple in the run mode of the ignition switch?? Is this normal?
.. and if I am getting power to this wire with the clutch safety switch out of the loop . why don't I hear my solenoid/starter respond?
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
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From: Florida
You've got the wrong purple wire. You have the one that is on the flasher circuit for the directional signals.
Further down on the column is the ignition switch with a heavier purple wire going to the neutral switch.
Further down on the column is the ignition switch with a heavier purple wire going to the neutral switch.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Palm Bay Florida
<a href="http://s1313.photobucket.com/user/ballen060/media/1374663238_zps8c029b8e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t545/ballen060/1374663238_zps8c029b8e.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1374663238_zps8c029b8e.jpg"/></a>
I hope this photo shows up.. Which wire is the proper one to check?
I hope this photo shows up.. Which wire is the proper one to check?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Palm Bay Florida
http://s1313.photobucket.com/user/ba...29b8e.jpg.html
Maybe this will work.
In any case .. I don't know what you mean when you say there is an ignition switch further down the column.. I am at the very end of the column at the so called harmonica connector.
Maybe this will work.
In any case .. I don't know what you mean when you say there is an ignition switch further down the column.. I am at the very end of the column at the so called harmonica connector.
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From: Taylor Michigan
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From: Palm Bay Florida
What are the most important grounds to check?
And in order to check them I assume a take a "continuity light" and run it from my battery ground to the ground under suspect.. right?
Or is there an easier way.. I have a multimeter.
And in order to check them I assume a take a "continuity light" and run it from my battery ground to the ground under suspect.. right?
Or is there an easier way.. I have a multimeter.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Palm Bay Florida
Assuming I need to get to the ignition switch .. the one located at the base of the column .. (not the key switch near the hub) ..
Will I need to remove the steering wheel from the car to get access??
Will I need to remove the steering wheel from the car to get access??
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From: Palm Bay Florida
http://s1313.photobucket.com/user/ba...8a9c0.jpg.html
Pardon my ignorance .. but could someone tell me what is this switch for?? It has purple wires coming out of it so it might be part of my problem.
Pardon my ignorance .. but could someone tell me what is this switch for?? It has purple wires coming out of it so it might be part of my problem.
Le Mans Master
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Turn the key to start and push the button and see if the car starts.
If not then jumper across the 2 purples and see what happens.
If not then jumper across the 2 purples and see what happens.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
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I had to bypass the clutch pedal safety switch recently myself .
I made up a little jumper with a male spade connector on each end on a piece of heavy electric wire.
Works great , but car will start without pushing in the clutch pedal first now.
Bought a NOS GM clutch switch assembly . I wasn't able to contort my body to install it . So...for now the part just awaits another day.
I made up a little jumper with a male spade connector on each end on a piece of heavy electric wire.
Works great , but car will start without pushing in the clutch pedal first now.
Bought a NOS GM clutch switch assembly . I wasn't able to contort my body to install it . So...for now the part just awaits another day.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Palm Bay Florida
Yes .. thanks .. I have jumped that switch ...I feel your pain as far as getting to it.. (I'm a wimp.. myself)
Jeez ... how many switches do I have to jump??
Thanks everyone for ideas .. much appreciated..
Jeez ... how many switches do I have to jump??
Thanks everyone for ideas .. much appreciated..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Attach the black wire to a good ground and the red to the positive, you should read 12 volts if the circuit and connections are good.
Test light:
Black to ground and the other end to a positive and the lamp will light.
Here's a basic start system, your looking for a bad switch or broken wire.
First thing to do is jump from the battery positive terminal on the solenoid to the "S" terminal and confirm that the starter works.