This has been one $@!! of a week. First, my Q-Jet starts acting funny. (See post in this section). Second, I got a speeding ticket. :mad Third, my work truck develops a raging transmission leak(See post in "other cars"
). Now, the ignition switch in my vette wants to join in on the fun.

I drove my vette to work yesterday. About mid-day, I went out for lunch. No problems so far. I worked over late into the evening. Everyone else had left for the weekend. So, I lock the place up, and hop into the vette. Turn the key, and nothing. No starter relay click, no starter noise, or anything. The gauges and lights worked. After checking that the battery was ok, and that all wiring was ok, I assumed it must be the ignition switch.

I went back in the building, and got some electronics safe cleaner spray. I inserted the plastic straw into the ignition switch, and filled her up. Then, I inserted the key, and rapidly rocked it back and forth. After about 15 times, the starter engaged and my vette roared to life. 24 hrs and many starts later, the problem has not come back.

Knowing that it is only a matter of time before it acts up again, I need some advice. How hard (on a PITA scale) is it to change the switch. I do almost all of my own repairs, but that telescoping/tilt column is a little scary to me. Should I get a professional shop for this? There is a Corvette shop nearby, that charges $35/hr plus parts(10% mark-up on parts). If I should take this to a mechanic, what kind of costs can I expect. Maybe while I am at it, I could have new matching door locks put in.

Are there any other things that I should check, that could cause this? Was it just a coincidence that the engine cranked after soaking the switch?

Thanks for your comments or suggestions! :seeya

 

The ignition switch is mounted at the base of the steering column near the firewall. The part you put the key in is the lock cylinder which is attached to a rod that goes down the column to the ignition switch. So spraying electric cleaner in the lock cylinder would never get to the electrical portion of the switch. The switch is slotted where it mounts to the column and may need to be adjusted.

 

Shotgun are you really sure it is the ingintion switch. It sounds to me like
your starter coil is not working. They have been known to were out on the brushes and only start when they want. Just my two cents, good luck.

 

I had the same thign happen last week with my 69. do a search you should find it. With my car the starter was just rebuilt less then a 1,000 miles ago. There is much debate over starter heat soak and if that was the cause. What I had to do was jump the starter from the battery terminal to the inner "S" terminal and that cranked the engine then it started right up. When I got home it started everytime :rolleyes:
I pulled the starter and replaced the solenoid spring with one that was recommended here. I also took a look at the wire leads to the starter and found the "S" lead was undersize wire-should have been 12 awg but was 14 or even 16awg. I spliced in 10 awg wire on all the leads and neatly wire tied the harness away from the engine and headers. I was going to jump out the clutch safety switch too but decided to wait to see if it does it again. I drove it several times so far and no problems but I keep a screw driver in the car :D
Gary

 

Thanks for the help, everyone!

But, I have to ask a few more questions.

The car was completely cold when it wouldn't start. So, I could rule out heat-soak?

Next, if there is a problem with the starter, won't the starter relay still make a clicking noise? By the way, where is the starter relay on these cars? If I could find it, I could possibly have diagnosed the problem.

Pete79L82, good information. I guess that blows my switch theory
:confused:

I'll keep digging as I have the time to do so. So far, the car has started every time since then. I may just wait until it does it again, and just avoid driving it far from home for now.

 

sector gear , rack, or rod .might be one of those.Did my 72 with tilt/tele.was no prob.Changed the sector and rack .Dont know if the 79 is the same.

 

The starter relay (soleniod) is mounted right on the starter.


I would do the cheapest/easiest things first.

On a 79 there are 4 (maybe 5) wires at the starter.

The wire from the ignition switch
2 wires with fusable links that supply voltage to the car.
The battery cable
And sometimes a ground wire on one of the starter bolts. (sometimes the ground is on a bellhousing bolt)

I would clean the connection at all those wires, Should be able to do it without removing the starter. I would also clean the battery cables at the battery and where the ground cable meets the frame.

All this will cost you nothing but a little time and may very well take care of your problem.

 

My 1979 Corvette (manual transmission) is having a starting problem after it was working fine. I try starting the car and get nothing but all electrical works - windows, lights, etc..

I checked the battery OK - 12.47 volts
I even jumped the car just to be sure, still NG
Checked the starter and confirmed it's OK by shorting the 12 volts to starter switch and it works. The starter is not getting 12 volts to the solenoid when ignition is turned so the problem seems to be before the starter.
I think my clutch safety switch is bypassed since I found the connector but no switch - the car started before so this doesn't seem to be the problem.
Any suggestions? Do you think it may be my ignition switch? How do I test it?