81 vette wont start
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 300
Likes: 83
81 vette wont start
well i had my 81 vette in the shop for a knock when i put into reverse and forward. mechanic found the transmission rubber cushions were rotted out also the rear end hold down cushions 2 were rotted out so i took it home and ordered the parts which have arrived. so i go out to start it up yesterday wont start. so check the battery reads 1240 perfect. so setting in the drivers seat hear this click click hard to tell where it is coming from, checked battery 1236 not bad. so i will have to take it to the mechanic or i should say have it towed any one have any ideas starter or starter wires
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,742
Likes: 2,583
Why dont you try jumping the battery with another car?
You may also want to first try loosening and retightening the battery connections and if possible get under the car and check the ground on the frame and the positive on the starter.
Did you use a handheld meter to check the voltage or relied on the in car gauge?
You may also want to first try loosening and retightening the battery connections and if possible get under the car and check the ground on the frame and the positive on the starter.
Did you use a handheld meter to check the voltage or relied on the in car gauge?
Last edited by MelWff; May 24, 2020 at 02:29 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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I'm thinking that 12.4 is not "Perfect". A fully charged 12V battery should be at 12.7-12.8 depending on temperature. I would be charging the battery
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 300
Likes: 83
o.k. once again you guys were right on. disconnected the battery ground yesterday early this AM hooked the ground back on the battery. first thing i noticed there was no clicking sound, thats good, hooked the battery charger up to vehicle start plugged it in waited 5 minutes turned the key on fired right up let it warm up took it around the block ran great, tomorrow will see my mechanic and get a new starter put in. thanks from the bottom of my heart you guys made my day thank you again
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 2,518
Likes: 1,167
From: Northern Wisconsin
My understanding is that the car started reliably for you until after you had it in the shop for the knocking issue. Then, next day the car wouldn't start due to what appears to be low battery charge. This leads me to believe that something happened while the car was in the shop that caused the electrical system to develop a key-off battery drain situation. Maybe the mechanic accidentally moved something that is now causing a partial short to ground. These things are not difficult to diagnose, but you have to go through a systematic process to track it down.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 300
Likes: 83
about 6 months ago my mechanic suggested i change the starter why i did not ask, the reason it was in the shop is i had a knock when i put it into reverse and than 3rd gear its automatic transmission. he found the transmission mounts which are rubber he repaired them but my differencial which is mounted to the big a frame from the rear and in front is mounted on 2 cushion round pads I ordered this kit from zip corvette to cure this problem the cushions were both rotted out. I normally plug my vette into a trickle charger if iam not going to drive it for a few days i failed to do so altho my battery was low it wasnt that low when it would not start. and thats when i heard the clicking noise which some great guys on here helped me out as far as replacing the starter the darn thing is 40 years old, and i dont want to be 40 miles from my home setting on a beach and the starter dont work
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 188
From: Wabasha Mn
about 6 months ago my mechanic suggested i change the starter why i did not ask, the reason it was in the shop is i had a knock when i put it into reverse and than 3rd gear its automatic transmission. he found the transmission mounts which are rubber he repaired them but my differencial which is mounted to the big a frame from the rear and in front is mounted on 2 cushion round pads I ordered this kit from zip corvette to cure this problem the cushions were both rotted out. I normally plug my vette into a trickle charger if iam not going to drive it for a few days i failed to do so altho my battery was low it wasnt that low when it would not start. and thats when i heard the clicking noise which some great guys on here helped me out as far as replacing the starter the darn thing is 40 years old, and i dont want to be 40 miles from my home setting on a beach and the starter dont work
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 474
Likes: 64
From: Portage La Prairie Manitoba
o.k. once again you guys were right on. disconnected the battery ground yesterday early this AM hooked the ground back on the battery. first thing i noticed there was no clicking sound, thats good, hooked the battery charger up to vehicle start plugged it in waited 5 minutes turned the key on fired right up let it warm up took it around the block ran great, tomorrow will see my mechanic and get a new starter put in. thanks from the bottom of my heart you guys made my day thank you again
Last edited by Engage; May 26, 2020 at 06:57 AM.