72 Vette not starting help
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Joined: Jul 2012
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From: West Los Angeles CA
72 Vette not starting help
Hello , my 72 issue is that when I turned the key to start it doesn't do anything. The lights do come on inside the car but absolutely nothing happens when I try to start it ?? I check the current goes to the starter and the distributor. What can it be and how do I check it ? Starter ? Distributor ? Ignition switch? Help please !!!!! Thank you in advance 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,025
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From: North tonawanda NY
Hello , my 72 issue is that when I turned the key to start it doesn't do anything. The lights do come on inside the car but absolutely nothing happens when I try to start it ?? I check the current goes to the starter and the distributor. What can it be and how do I check it ? Starter ? Distributor ? Ignition switch? Help please !!!!! Thank you in advance
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
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From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Hello , my 72 issue is that when I turned the key to start it doesn't do anything. The lights do come on inside the car but absolutely nothing happens when I try to start it ?? I check the current goes to the starter and the distributor. What can it be and how do I check it ? Starter ? Distributor ? Ignition switch? Help please !!!!! Thank you in advance
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 95
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From: West Los Angeles CA
Thx for the suggestion and the battery cable are new , the battery is new , I got my Vette after I had the engine redone . I had to tow my Vette to my house , it's complicated, but I heard the Vette start after the rebuilt so I know that it starts . I will try to check on the starter today . Thx
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)
Could it be the NSS needs adjustment?
Have you tried moving the shifter in PARK and NEUTRAL?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2012
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From: West Los Angeles CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,426
Likes: 1,559
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
I'll guess that you mean you have current at the BIG wire on the top of the solenoid since the lights work
but with the key in START do you get 12 volts on the purple wire on the starter solenoid?
If not, do you get 12 volts into and out of the NSS?
72 schematic:
http://www.vetteprojects.com/bmv/mis...tte%201972.pdf
but with the key in START do you get 12 volts on the purple wire on the starter solenoid?
If not, do you get 12 volts into and out of the NSS?
72 schematic:
http://www.vetteprojects.com/bmv/mis...tte%201972.pdf
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
I had a solenoid fail just 2 days ago. It's internal ground wire broke so it was only working when it was cold and the wire was touching. When it got warm the wire lifted slightly and no start. When the wire was spot welded to the case the spot weld was so HOT the wire ended up as thin as tissue paper so it broke. Just a factory defect and the first time I had ever seen that happen in 50 years.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,276
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From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
i just had the same thing at the weekend.
interior lights came on, radio worked, but turn the key - dead as a dodo.
put meter across battery, 12.8v.
but no click or anything from starter.
took battery out, and went to the shop i bought it from just 2yrs ago.
they load tested it on the bench, and it's kaput internally.
mine was a side terminal battery like original.
he said they aren't strong inside as a top post setup.
have had a battery trickle charger on car whilst is storage,
but just when you want to go for a drive, nothing works...
interior lights came on, radio worked, but turn the key - dead as a dodo.
put meter across battery, 12.8v.
but no click or anything from starter.
took battery out, and went to the shop i bought it from just 2yrs ago.
they load tested it on the bench, and it's kaput internally.
mine was a side terminal battery like original.
he said they aren't strong inside as a top post setup.
have had a battery trickle charger on car whilst is storage,
but just when you want to go for a drive, nothing works...
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: West Los Angeles CA
I'll guess that you mean you have current at the BIG wire on the top of the solenoid since the lights work
but with the key in START do you get 12 volts on the purple wire on the starter solenoid?
If not, do you get 12 volts into and out of the NSS?
72 schematic:
http://www.vetteprojects.com/bmv/mis...tte%201972.pdf
but with the key in START do you get 12 volts on the purple wire on the starter solenoid?
If not, do you get 12 volts into and out of the NSS?
72 schematic:
http://www.vetteprojects.com/bmv/mis...tte%201972.pdf