1979 Will Not Start

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 19, 2019 | 02:05 PM

Cabinessence

Thread Starter

3rd Gear

Joined: Oct 2019

Posts: 3

Likes: 0

1979 Will Not Start

I've been checking out your posts for a while now. You're a big help to people who never even speak up. I appreciate you all. But I've run into a wall I can't seem to get over.
Here is the situation:

When I turn the key into second position, all gauges move into position and I have full power.
When I turn the key to start the car, there is no reaction. Silence.

Here is the equipment I'm working with:

Brand new battery (650CCA... overkill for Arkansas conditions and onboard demands)
Brand new alternator
Brand new starter
Brand new Neutral Safety Backup Switch

If I jump the car it will start up albeit with several attempts of key turning. It will usually sputter out after a moment or two, but then fire right up at a second key turn and run fine. If it sits for a little while, it will require the same sort of process to get it going again. The reason I tried jumping it in the first place was because I thought perhaps there might be a low battery charge that left me without enough juice to crank it. I have done this three times.

Any ideas? Any help is appreciated!

Oct 20, 2019 | 12:33 PM

MelWff

Race Director

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 18,695

Likes: 2,572

When you say jump the car, you mean you are using another car battery jumped with cables to your battery or you are jumping the starter solenoid with a handheld switch?
Not knowing which is the case, have you tested the battery with a voltmeter, what was the reading?
Have you tested the starter solenoid ignition switch terminal to see if it gets power when you turn the key to crank?

Last edited by MelWff; Oct 20, 2019 at 12:33 PM.

Oct 21, 2019 | 08:06 AM

henrikse

Pro

Joined: Nov 2016

Posts: 729

Likes: 118

From: Kelowna British Columbia

How is your positive battery cable from battery to starter. Then I would take your ground off frame at battery clean eye and frame with grinder and reinstall. Then up by strter there is a ground cable from engine to frame. Clean both ends of this up as well

Oct 21, 2019 | 08:23 AM

speedreed8

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 2,417

Likes: 336

From: Texas

Is the neutral safety switch adjusted correctly. Try to start in neutral position.
check the cable connection at the battery. Mine were worn out and not making good contact with the battery post. Had to change both cables. Just ideas. Hope you get it going.

Last edited by speedreed8; Oct 21, 2019 at 08:26 AM.

Oct 21, 2019 | 09:09 AM

Damn Yankee

Intermediate

Joined: Jul 2019

Posts: 34

Likes: 9

Is there a short cable that connects the frame to the engine block?

Oct 21, 2019 | 09:53 AM

speedreed8

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 2,417

Likes: 336

From: Texas

Yes. My 79 has one from the frame to a bolt on the motor mount against the block.

Oct 23, 2019 | 07:22 PM

Cabinessence

Thread Starter

3rd Gear

Joined: Oct 2019

Posts: 3

Likes: 0

MelWff, I have just jumped the car by connecting at the battery terminals.

Thank you so much, everyone. I'm going to use your suggestions and begin applying them on my next free day. I'll report back and tell you how it goes.

If you have any other suggestions on what to check, please let me know.

Thanks again!

Oct 23, 2019 | 08:35 PM

MelWff

Race Director

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 18,695

Likes: 2,572

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cabinessence

if the car starts simply by hooking up another car battery with jumper cables connected to your battery, your battery is dead or the car battery cables are not fully connected to your battery

Last edited by MelWff; Oct 23, 2019 at 08:36 PM.