Dead, no cranking, nothing
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 414
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Ignition switch, clutch switch.
try shorting the starter posts together with a screwdriver and if everything works great than the issue is that the starter isn’t getting the signal. Troubleshoot from there
try shorting the starter posts together with a screwdriver and if everything works great than the issue is that the starter isn’t getting the signal. Troubleshoot from there
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Your GRD cable is just-good-enough to activate small amp draws, such as lights.
But is NOT good enough for cranking amps.
The GRD under the battery box is culprit 80% of the time.
But is NOT good enough for cranking amps.
The GRD under the battery box is culprit 80% of the time.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; May 20, 2024 at 07:58 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,227
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
My 77 did that once. Plastic connector on the firewall, just right of the distributor, just came apart. Sends power down to the solenoid for start.
So, could be a lot of things. Jump starter with beater screwdriver. Does it crank? Yes. Move up the line towards the switch. The connector I mentioned, the clutch safety switch, etc.
if no, battery and ground cables.
basic troubleshooting.
So, could be a lot of things. Jump starter with beater screwdriver. Does it crank? Yes. Move up the line towards the switch. The connector I mentioned, the clutch safety switch, etc.
if no, battery and ground cables.
basic troubleshooting.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,741
Likes: 1,383
Good questions. A voltage check means nothing.
Clean the battery terminals to begin with, but if it's been sitting around for 2 years I doubt it's fully charged even if the voltage looks ok.
I'd quit looking for problems until you get the battery fully charged and load tested and the battery terminals really clean and tight (I'm not kidding--- lights may work but car won't crank).
Clean the battery terminals to begin with, but if it's been sitting around for 2 years I doubt it's fully charged even if the voltage looks ok.
I'd quit looking for problems until you get the battery fully charged and load tested and the battery terminals really clean and tight (I'm not kidding--- lights may work but car won't crank).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,426
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,426
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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If you 'jumper' from the top Terminal (where the battery positive is connected) to the small "S" terminal, the starter will turn on.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,936
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From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2023
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I used my jumper cables to go from the negative post on battery to a metal ground elsewhere. I used the exhaust manifold and the door latch post, and the car did not start.
12.5 volts in the battery.
It did however start when I jumped it using my truck. Is the truck electronic system ground helping my car's ground?
I'm still not convinced the negative cable from the battery is grounded adequately to the frame. I'll try that this coming weekend.
Zack
12.5 volts in the battery.
It did however start when I jumped it using my truck. Is the truck electronic system ground helping my car's ground?
I'm still not convinced the negative cable from the battery is grounded adequately to the frame. I'll try that this coming weekend.
Zack
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,025
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
I used my jumper cables to go from the negative post on battery to a metal ground elsewhere. I used the exhaust manifold and the door latch post, and the car did not start.
12.5 volts in the battery.
It did however start when I jumped it using my truck. Is the truck electronic system ground helping my car's ground?
I'm still not convinced the negative cable from the battery is grounded adequately to the frame. I'll try that this coming weekend.
Zack
12.5 volts in the battery.
It did however start when I jumped it using my truck. Is the truck electronic system ground helping my car's ground?
I'm still not convinced the negative cable from the battery is grounded adequately to the frame. I'll try that this coming weekend.
Zack
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Not sure what year they started using the copper clad aluminum ground cable but those stupid side terminal batteries with have a tendency to leak down the cable and destroy it.
One of GM's dumber ideas.
One of GM's dumber ideas.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,227
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Maintance free battery's don't leak. I still have the factory battery cables in my 77. And there fine.
Nothing at all wrong with sidepost battery's.
Nothing at all wrong with sidepost battery's.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Really? Then explain why I've had several that leaked from my 78 pace car to my 02 Z/28 and many cars in between. And I'm not alone. Side terminals can leak.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,399
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From: Napa Valley California
Don’t just check the battery ground connections.
I had a similar issue with my 73 when I first bought it.
The cable connections were tight and the battery was new and fully charged.
I noticed a hint of corrosion around the cable right around the insulation.
I peeled the insulation back a little to clean it up and found that even though the cable looked to be in excellent condition it was almost completely corroded through under the insulation.
I replaced the cable and it solved my problem.
I had a similar issue with my 73 when I first bought it.
The cable connections were tight and the battery was new and fully charged.
I noticed a hint of corrosion around the cable right around the insulation.
I peeled the insulation back a little to clean it up and found that even though the cable looked to be in excellent condition it was almost completely corroded through under the insulation.
I replaced the cable and it solved my problem.