engine won't start
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 124
Likes: 3
Time to stop and take a deep breath. Understand we'll try and help but you have to be very specific since its over the net. Is there good voltage from the battery to the starter. Check the starter ground Next operate the solenoid Just like the fbi follow the money we need to follow the voltage. I'm still leaning on starter and solenoid
Thanks all you guys for your suggestions and help I really do appreciate it.
Fred
fully charged. It appears no juice
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 730
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From: Catoosa Okla
Somehow, I feel obligated if not committed to see this through. We went from working to not working as fast as clicking a light switch. That tells me it's electrical. What I want to know requires two people. One to spin the starter at the ignition switch and one to hold a 12 volt test light from a good engine ground to the small wire on the solenoid closest to the block ONLY. I want to know if a light bulb lights up when the key is in the START position.
...Yea....that's what I want to know before anything else..
...Yea....that's what I want to know before anything else..
Last edited by Patro46; Mar 1, 2014 at 01:22 PM. Reason: typo
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 124
Likes: 3
Somehow, I feel obligated if not committed to see this through. We went from working to not working as fast as clicking a light switch. That tells me it's electrical. What I want to know requires two people. One to spin the starter at the ignition switch and one to hold a 12 volt test light from a good engine ground to the small wire on the solenoid closest to the block ONLY. I want to know if a light bulb lights up when the key is in the START position.
...Yea....that's what I want to know before anything else..
...Yea....that's what I want to know before anything else..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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You in good hands with Patro46 so follow his advice.
If you do not have 12 volts to the end of the purple wire with the key in start then check the clutch switch. With the key in start see if you get 12 volts into and out of the clutch switch.
If you do not have 12 volts to the end of the purple wire with the key in start then check the clutch switch. With the key in start see if you get 12 volts into and out of the clutch switch.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 37
From: Catoosa Okla
OK. We've established a starting point. This said, if you jump the 3/8" terminal on the starter solenoid to the small 9/32" terminal the starter CLOSEST to the block SHOULD spin over. (The other small terminal provides a 7 to 8 volt signal to the coil when in cranking mode). It may spark a little making connection and thats OK. It's drawing a LOT of amps. Do this next. It will tell us where to go next 
Last edited by Patro46; Mar 1, 2014 at 07:34 PM.
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Catoosa Okla
If you question the ground, simply take a jumper cable from the negative side of the battery to a known good ground. I'm also in agreement your issue is either a bad ground or a bad positive connection, probably at or near the battery. Also note, the negative cable is rather short and grounds to the frame. If the engine isn't grounded well, it could present a issue. Something REAL SIMPLE is being overlooked. I'd bet lunch.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 124
Likes: 3
If you question the ground, simply take a jumper cable from the negative side of the battery to a known good ground. I'm also in agreement your issue is either a bad ground or a bad positive connection, probably at or near the battery. Also note, the negative cable is rather short and grounds to the frame. If the engine isn't grounded well, it could present a issue. Something REAL SIMPLE is being overlooked. I'd bet lunch.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,000
Likes: 299
From: New York
The first reply you got was me telling you to check the cables neg and positive. Post 33 ya got it clicking again ... Make sure the ground is good at the frame.. If it is and the positive is good at the starter get a jump start
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 124
Likes: 3
It wasn't the starter clicking it was some kind of junction box on the firewall.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 124
Likes: 3
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 37
From: Catoosa Okla
So if I understand you, you now are able to jump the starter. So... with the key in the run position and you jumping the starter, will it run? If not, with the key in the run position, is there 12 volts + at the + side of the coil?