Starter / Cranking Problem
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 14
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Starter / Cranking Problem
I am restoring a 1978 with a L82. The Engine wiring harness was bad. I replaced the engine wiring harness and the engine/starter solenoid wiring harness. I also purchased a new battery. The starter just clicks, however if I jump terminals on the starter the car cranks. Also if I run a 12 v remote starter switch from the battery to the purple wire terminal on the solenoid the car cranks. The purple wire has voltage when trying to crank the car. I had the starter tested and it's fine. What am I missing?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 14
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Test light is bright. I have 12 volts at the purple wire. I am now wondering if the starter is bad even though it tested good. When they tested it it's not under load so maybe its bad. If I jump the terminals on the solenoid the car will crank but the starter drags really bad.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 14
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I used a 12v lighted circuit tester on the purple wire first. I had my wife turn the key and the tester lights up. I can post a picture this evening. I also used a fluke meter. I removed the ground from the battery to the chassis and cleaned it and chassis good. I also cleaned the connection point for the black wire in the solenoid harness. The engine and solenoid harness are new. Is there another ground that I should check?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 334
Likes: 6
There are some ground cables to check, including those at the starter terminal, starter to engine, battery to frame. My memory is a bit fuzzy so if somebody doesn't chime in I'll check my Assembly Manual when I can get to it.
There was a thread a while back that had some good descriptions, I'll see if I can find it. The fact that your starter "drags" suggests to me (if battery and starter good) it'd be a good idea to rule out any grounding issues as a potential problem.
There was a thread a while back that had some good descriptions, I'll see if I can find it. The fact that your starter "drags" suggests to me (if battery and starter good) it'd be a good idea to rule out any grounding issues as a potential problem.
Last edited by C3Hawk; Dec 9, 2014 at 01:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 14
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Well after all the fussing, cussing and temper tantrums - It was the starter. I bought a new starter today, installed it and the car is cranking with no problems. I had the starter tested yesterday and they said it was good, but I guess under a load it wasn't. Thanks for all the replies.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski