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I have a very similar problem as outlined in this thread, https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...on-switch.html
When I first started working on this car, the starter cranked the motor just fine. I got it to actually fire up, but as soon as that happened, the starter stopped working, at least consistently. Most of the time there's not even a click or anything from the starter.
I have a multimeter, and checking the terminals at the starter show that it's getting the right voltages even when the key is turned. My next thought was to test the starter outside the car by just applying a battery straight to the terminals, but it's a brand new starter, so I feel like that won't prove much.
In the thread, someone suggested cleaning up, or even replacing, the ignition switch. The car is a '69 with a Tilt-Telescopic Steering Column and an automatic transmission. Are there any good guides out there on replacing or just taking apart a tilt steering column? Or could the problem be attributed to something else? I haven't fully gone over and checked the wiring around the ignition coil, but since it cranked fine before, I would think possible bad wires wouldn't prevent the starter from turning over.
run a wire to the S terminal of the starter. out from under the car and into pass compartment. touch it to the positive batt terminal. does it crank every time? then it is the starter switch circuit. is it intermittent? return the defective starter.
Last edited by derekderek; Dec 15, 2019 at 07:16 AM.
These cars are old and the start control circuit needs to be 100% flawless or the starter will not always crank when hot. There are several ways to fix it. Trace the circuit and try to repair the voltage drop...mini-starter...or add a relay kit.
Easy, effective and cheap is add the relay kit. Painless Wiring kit from Jeg's is on sale for about $15 bucks #555-10544 Or you can use one of the many other kits on the market. You can easily build it yourself using the instructions. The pieces are readily available anywhere.
Somewhat of a long shot With a new starter, but I had a similar issue with my car. When I went to tighten the connections (start with simple stuff first) I found that one of the posts was loose on the starter. My starter has two nuts on each of the connection posts. One to keep the post snugged up to the starter and one to connect the wire to the post. I tightened up the loose post (and checked the others for good measure) and haven’t had an issue since.
Addressing your last question about taking the tilt Tele column apart: if your 69 is like my 78 you don't need to do that. The start switch is located on top of the steering column behind the dash. Accusing it makes the fuse box comparatively easy!. You can drop the steering column by removing the dash section piece below the column. There's are two bolts that hold the column up against the dash and a bracket at the firewall. Drops the column down to make it easier to reach the switch held on with two screws. When you turn the key you are moving a rod mounted on top of the column into the switch. Turning the key moves the rod forward and moves the contact in the switch. You might need to replace that switch or just get by cleaning those contacts. I did this to mine last spring and seems to have solved my similar issue. But it has been so intermittent I'm still not sure. Hope this helps.
inconsistent starter
