Car Doesn't Start
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 17
Likes: 5
Car Doesn't Start
I've been having this issue for ages. It is very hard to predict and replicate.
When I turn ignition NOTHING happens.
I charge up the battery (which isn't low) and check voltage with multimeter (like 12.22). Put battery back it, lights come on - no start. Doesn't even crank.
I charged up the battery yesterday to pull the car out of the garage. Backed it up 30 feet. Car started fine yesterday - NO ISSUES. Now it responds as described.
Thus far I have replaced starter motor and done leak down tests to see for a draw. Everything reads good. I pulled all grounds, cleaned surfaces, replaced - doesn't fix problem. Not really sure what to do, feels strange that the problem is intermittent but has nothing to do with driving.
Would appreciate advice.
When I turn ignition NOTHING happens.
I charge up the battery (which isn't low) and check voltage with multimeter (like 12.22). Put battery back it, lights come on - no start. Doesn't even crank.
I charged up the battery yesterday to pull the car out of the garage. Backed it up 30 feet. Car started fine yesterday - NO ISSUES. Now it responds as described.
Thus far I have replaced starter motor and done leak down tests to see for a draw. Everything reads good. I pulled all grounds, cleaned surfaces, replaced - doesn't fix problem. Not really sure what to do, feels strange that the problem is intermittent but has nothing to do with driving.
Would appreciate advice.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 17
Likes: 5
Manual 4 speed have not checked red wire will look at it now.
Wish I had the car in the nice cool garage - it's super hot today
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 17
Likes: 5
I was able to get the car started but the solution has me confused. I noticed my interior lights were not turning off so I started going through the system. With the white wire unplugged from the passenger door switch the interior lights worked appropriately. After that I tried the car again and it started. Is this just a coincidence or is there something in this system I can look into that could cause a short or something?
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,839
Likes: 4,455
From: Virginia
If your car has a working clutch safety switch, it and @OMF's must be the only two on the planet that haven't been bypassed or removed.
What year car? There is an alarm system in some years that can cause strange issues.
What year car? There is an alarm system in some years that can cause strange issues.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 17
Likes: 5
If your car has a working clutch safety switch, it and @OMF's must be the only two on the planet that haven't been bypassed or removed.
What year car? There is an alarm system in some years that can cause strange issues.
What year car? There is an alarm system in some years that can cause strange issues.
This is a '73. If it has an alarm that's news to me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 717
From: Marietta GA
The alarm on a 73 only sounds a horn at the rear of the car. I will bet you the clutch safety switch is unhappy. On my 73 you have to push the pedal to the Floor or the starter will not engage. If I wasn’t so old, I would go under the dash and see if I could do some kind of adjustment to the switch, so the clutch pedal would not need to travel so far.