1977 Chevy Corvette won't start
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2019
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1977 Chevy Corvette won't start
I have 1977 Chevy Corvette that I shipped to Lithuania when moving from United States in 2012. Last time I started this car was few years ago and starter was turning hard and sometimes engage only after few attempts to start. Now it does not start at all. When I turn ignition power comes on, but when I try to start the car it gives short and instantly drains battery. At first I was suspected battery, but after trying different battery I got the same results.
Can this be faulty starter that is giving electric short? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Can this be faulty starter that is giving electric short? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Last edited by Nerijus; Sep 28, 2019 at 05:48 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
This is usually a poor GRD issue. There are a few GRD cables that need to be removed, cleaned, reinstalled. Unfortunately, to access those the car has to be elevated.
Also, starters themselves seldom go bad. The starter solenoid is another story. Corrosion inside that unit will causes issues like yours. The starter still has to be removed to swap-out the solenoid. And there are ways to test it before disassembly.
Also, starters themselves seldom go bad. The starter solenoid is another story. Corrosion inside that unit will causes issues like yours. The starter still has to be removed to swap-out the solenoid. And there are ways to test it before disassembly.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
the starter itself can sort-of go bad. tear it apart. clean it. lube it. make sure starter thru bolts do not hit wires that go to the brushes. make sure brush insulators are good. and leaf springs that hold them to armature are good. 2 brush mounts are insulated and hot. other 2 are in metal and on the ground side. starter armature itself rarely goes bad while sitting. pay special attention to the solenoid. the big piston will get rusted and stuck in the bore and not pull in to close the big contacts to fire the starter. you can clean out the bore and outside surface of the piston. the starter drive (bendix) will get tight and not move well, also causing piston (hammer) to not close starter contacts. i built starters for a long time. if you were in the US, i would say buy a permanent magnet gear reduction starter. but stuff gets expensive when shipping to europe. starter video.
this one is too long, but at around 25 minute mark he does a quick version of solenoid repair.
if old or original starter, the 2 small nuts on the S and R terminals are 11/32. not easy to find any more. your 9MM will work just fine...
Last edited by derekderek; Sep 29, 2019 at 08:23 AM.
7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2017
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I have the same issues only mine the lights on dash come on....speedometer takes off and runs all the way over.....I get no clicking or nothing...new alternator and starter. This car has the key for security on fender drivers side....clock starts running on dash.....all gauges seem to come on.....but not sure why it just does nothing??? Anyone help with this issue sounds alot like his issues too
7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I have the same issues only mine the lights on dash come on....speedometer takes off and runs all the way over.....I get no clicking or nothing...new alternator and starter. This car has the key for security on fender drivers side....clock starts running on dash.....all gauges seem to come on.....but not sure why it just does nothing??? Anyone help with this issue sounds alot like his issues too
7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 7
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Not sure at all yet...trying to turn crank but bolt keeps turning I am afraid I may snap it off? Never had one turn like this....I am going to soak spark plug holes with marvel mystery oil and see if it frees up....may be ignition but I did replace that.....running out of things to check but wiring...lol
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The ground cable on some years was aluminium and subject to corrosion because of an equally great idea side terminal batteries take a jumper cables and hook it to the negative battery terminal and the other end to a good ground if it starts replace your ground cable
7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2017
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Thanks all I have torn it down to the pistons.....found the issue it is frozen up and has antifreeze sitting on top of one piston....so head gaskets and lots of rust....looks like a rebuild and I am loving the work...fun fun fun
7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2017
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exactly the issue....thanks....head gaskets as well...lots of blockage, rust, intake, carb, many issues after I took it down to pistons..thanks for the idea to just tear it down and find out....I had ruled out many of the other suggestions