1973 vette will not start
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Hi all, I just went into the car and for the first time things are clicking but still no crank. I forgot to reinstall the seat belt interlocking relay but I first moved the shifter knot from neutral to park a couple of times. I was able to hear the fuel pump running and what sounded like the relay at the starter clicking. I then installed the seat belt interlocking relay and moved the shifter as before and got the same result also the blower fan was working for the first time. I had the battery recharge up to 100% last Thursday so I'm good there, I think it might be the neutral switch so I'll change it out when the new one comes in middle of the week. If anyone have any ideas that I could try while waiting, that would be great. Thanks gain for all the help, it goes a longs ways.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,431
Likes: 1,562
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Ideas to try while waiting!
Ok, we are working on a 74 automatic right?
Check and clean the connections at the battery, the starter, and both grounds.
At the starter, there is a black wire that should be connected to a bell housing bolt, not connected to the battery positive terminal. Check that.
Jumper from the large battery terminal on the solenoid to the "S" terminal so we know that the starter works.
About the NSS switch:
With the key in START check the purple white for 12 volts.
Next with the shifter in N or P check the purple wire for 12 volts.
Your NSS switch may just need an adjustment (see the slots at each end?).
Check and clean the connections at the battery, the starter, and both grounds.
At the starter, there is a black wire that should be connected to a bell housing bolt, not connected to the battery positive terminal. Check that.
Jumper from the large battery terminal on the solenoid to the "S" terminal so we know that the starter works.
About the NSS switch:
With the key in START check the purple white for 12 volts.
Next with the shifter in N or P check the purple wire for 12 volts.
Your NSS switch may just need an adjustment (see the slots at each end?).
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Hello everyone, thanks for all of the help in trying to get this car started. I found that the replacement starter was bad so I took it out and went to advance auto to get it tested and it tested bad. They didn't have another one in stock so I will not be able to reinstall one until tomorrow. Hopefully that fix the problem and I can get the car back on the road.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
I just want to say thanks to everyone that replied to my post and helped me out with finding the issue. So I went back and sanded all of the grounds,cleaned them with alcohol and put things back together. At first the car didn't crank but when I bypassed the seat belt interlocking relay, she cranked right up. So the problem was that relay coupled with bad grounds. I'm not able to locate the relay so I'll check the chevy dealership tomorrow to see if they can get one for me. The part number on the relay is 1243384 if anyone wants it. Thanks again to everyone for the help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Chevrolet probably discontinued that relay about 30 minutes into the 1976 production rum. Start by hunting for a vendor that has them as repo units. Or as was mentioned in an earlier post to jump a couple of wires in the relay mount.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: wis
HI I need help. I,am rebuilding a 1973 vette 350 stick. I replaced all the wiring from dash forward know dash lights and car will not start. I have power to main fuse block could the neutral switch be bad?
