Hello forum members! Recently bought a ’69 Vette, 4-spd, 350/ 350 car started fine for the first 3-4 times. Took first drive for about 10 miles to get VIN verified. Turned the car off in my driveway. Went to restart it and totally dead, No starter solenoid clicking at all. Gauges and dash lights all working, however. Checked both sides of horn relay and both good. Unplugged clutch safety switch and temporarily jumped with a paper clip and tested. No power there when I turned the ignition to start. Ran a wire from positive on battery to the paperclip on the safety switch and the car wanted to start.
Today I had to manually move the interlocking lever on the steering column shaft that has the cable running to it from the transmission. As many other have experienced, the cable wire was bent into a “U” shape down by the transmission. This explains why I could never get the key into the ‘lock’ position on the steering column key cylinder, but now it locks and can also go into ‘accessory’ position. I moved the interlocking lever to the 1 o’clock position (full ‘up’ position) on the steering shaft, unfastened the cable and secured the lever with a temporary wire until I get a new interlock cable. I get in the car and it starts right up. I am completely baffled! Have no idea why I can now start the car!
Questions: (1) Does the fact that I moved the interlocking lever to the full up position and now have full key cylinder function have any direct connection to the car now starting?
(2) If not, is the likely culprit of the car not starting the ignition switch (below the dash and on top of the bottom section of the steering column)? (I have only looked at the location of the ignition switch after removing the cover plate. It seems solid in place and no wiggle at all.)
(3) If an ignition switch is bad, can it still sometimes randomly function? (wondering if that is what happened today)

The car has not started for 2 days and, out of the blue, it does today. The only physical change I performed today was the moving of the steering column interlock lever to the ‘up’ position. I would GREATLY appreciate your insight and thoughts! Thanks in advance and merry Christmas!

 

Maybe the Clutch pedal safety switch.

 

Check the ignition switch are all connections tight? Could there be a loose ground? I had a loose wire on the ignition switch under the column where the wiring harness plugs in. Try tilting the column in a new position; I have had that issue as well. Bob

 

i jump wired the clutch pedal safety switch so I know that's not the source of the problem

 

Thx, Bob. I checked the ignition switch as best as I could since access is poor unless I drop the steering column. Switch itself is secure but not able to tell if any loose wires. If not the ignition switch then not sure what else to check...

 

Be sure to purchase the original type of interlock cable. My original cable did the same thing as yours, it bent at the transmission.
I purchased one from Willcox that had a black sheathing and it didn't last, I guess that's why it's been discontinued. I now keep my lever secured in the up position so I can take the key out in any gear.

Original type of cable that is wrapped with wire.

 

You'll need to get a little deeper. Check to see if you get 12 V to the blue wire on the starter solenoid when to turn the key to the start position.

 

'I thought about power to the starter; but why intermittent. Usually that means a loose connection. So check connections on starter after checking for power. As well as ground. Bob

 

Try pushing n on the pink wire closest to the front seat. Also if tou have tt wheel- change tilt.

 

I had this issue with a vw kit car I owned and it was caused by a poor ground connection to the starter. that said it could be caused by a variety of things. on my 74 vette the ignition switch caused this behavior.

 

Thx Debbie. Is the pink wire you are referring to on the ignition switch? So it's at top of switch when looking from driver's perspective?

 

It could also be the solenoid. Test it by bypassing all circuits and bring power to the solenoid directly. Best to do it in the garage when the car will not start. The fix is cheap. Jerry

 

that is correct