1973 vette will not start
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
1973 vette will not start
So, everything works except starting, I checked the voltage on then small connector on the starter that is closest to the wheel and got 12vdc with the key turned to on. Nothing on the other small connector in this configuration, pressed the brake and turned the key to start and the 12vdc went away but never showed up on the other small connector. I then run a wire from the battery positive terminal to the outer small connector on the starter and heard clicks in the hood. When I touched the other small starter connector, I get sparks with the brake pedal pressed and the key in start position and without. I have already replaced the starter and solenoid and the start switch that's located under the steering column. Beside the alarm and neutral switch, does anyone have any ideas? I need some help here. Thanks in advance
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)
The purple wire connects to the small solenoid terminal closest to the engine.
The yellow connects to the terminal closest to the wheel.
Is this the way you have it wired up?
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&p...ZTM0ZDc1MWM5Ng
The yellow connects to the terminal closest to the wheel.
Is this the way you have it wired up?
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&p...ZTM0ZDc1MWM5Ng
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)
This box is for the seat belt starter interlock.
You might have a problem with that relay but check for power going into and out of the NSS first.
As asked before, stick or auto?
You might have a problem with that relay but check for power going into and out of the NSS first.
As asked before, stick or auto?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 520
From: McClellandtown, Pa.
Hi peterbuilt,
That Seatbelt Starter Interlock relay isn't used on a 73'. That started with the 74'. The seat belts weren't tied into the starting of the car in 73'.
Tooch
That Seatbelt Starter Interlock relay isn't used on a 73'. That started with the 74'. The seat belts weren't tied into the starting of the car in 73'.
Tooch
Last edited by Tooch1; Mar 23, 2017 at 06:05 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 520
From: McClellandtown, Pa.
Hey peterbuilt,
I'm guilty of that myself sometime. Maybe after reading his later post above, you thought that's what he was talking about?
Tooch
Last edited by Tooch1; Mar 23, 2017 at 06:19 PM.
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
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Actu That's exactly what I am talking about and I'm pretty sure my car is a 73. Would this cause the car not to start? I tried the stores today but couldn't find it. Something was shaking inside of it when I took it off, Tipton ended up being a piece of dried rotted plastic.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 520
From: McClellandtown, Pa.
Please don't take this the wrong way but, you say you are pretty sure the car is a 73?? These weren't used on a 73. Does your car have chrome rear bumpers ?
Tooch
Tooch
Last edited by Tooch1; Mar 23, 2017 at 08:06 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 520
From: McClellandtown, Pa.
I believe there might be a way to bypass those, but I'm not familiar with the process. Maybe someone will chime in with help in doing that. At least you'll be able to see if you can get the car started. Until you find a replacement.
Regards,
Tooch
Last edited by Tooch1; Mar 23, 2017 at 08:40 PM.
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)
Tooch1,
You made me laugh! And that's a good thing.
Sgeorge,
On your first post, you said that you had 12 volts on the yellow at the starter with the key ON. That's good and correct.
You need 12 volts at the purple at the starter with the key in START.
Check there first.
It's rare that the SB interlock is bad but here's how to bypass it if all else fa
ils.
Regards, Pete.
You made me laugh! And that's a good thing.
Sgeorge,
On your first post, you said that you had 12 volts on the yellow at the starter with the key ON. That's good and correct.
You need 12 volts at the purple at the starter with the key in START.
Check there first.
It's rare that the SB interlock is bad but here's how to bypass it if all else fa
ils.Regards, Pete.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
I will check this at first light and post the results. This has been very frustrating and I can't express my gratitude enough. The help is much appreciated. My C6 was awesome but I love the old stuff. Thanks again
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 703
Likes: 153
From: Central FL
St. Jude Donor '06 thru'17, '23-'26
I went through something similar to this, turned out to be a bad ground. Is your battery ground clean and making good contact with the frame? Are you grounded to the transmission? Has all the paint been removed? How is the engine block to frame ground, is everything clean and tight? Is your frame to chassis ground good? Also, are the star washers between the ground wire and chassis? For me, i stripped the paint off of my Lakewood bellhousing, and off the block were were the grounds attach and it turned over instantly. I'm not sure if this helps, but thought I would throw it out there.
Last edited by Tewski; Mar 25, 2017 at 10:11 AM. Reason: Spelling
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 251
Likes: 33
To see if the issue is the neutral safety switch you can try several simple things. First try moving the transmission selector to neutral and try to start the engine. The switch works at two points with different contacts, in park and in neutral. If it starts then you will know it is the NSS. If this doesn't work then try to shift the transmission from park to drive several times, quickly. This will sometimes allow a switch that is on its way out to "shift" so the contact is made and allow the car to start, again showing a bad nss. Lots of luck, Russ