I'm new to the Corvette Forum and I am hoping that with so many knowledegable Corvette people out there someone may have ideas on why my '73 convertible I've ownewd for 17 years won't start. In the past few years I have experienced times when I bend the key and nothing happens. Meaning the selanoid isn't engaging the starter to turn the engine. After a few more bends the engine would fire. Finally now it's completley dead. The battery has checked out OK, there was no power to the selanoid when I contected the positive terminal on the battery to the S terminal, so I replaced the starter/selanoid and still nothing. I did notice the engine grounding cable just above the starter was coming apart so I removed it and will replace it tonight. I have cleaned all the battery connections of corrosion. The fuseable link from the starter is fine and not burned out. The only things I haven't checked out yet is the neutral saftey switch and the ignition switch on the steering column. The day prior to the engine not starting I replaced the coil with a 40,000 volt Pertronix Flame -Throwe Coil, but the engine started fine after the install. Could the new high output coil be the cause of my problem. :confused: I would appreciate anyone's advice. Thanks.

 

While your under there looking around go ahead check and clean your other grounds also. Check where the battery ground itself goes to the frame ,I had trouble there once.Also once had an alternater come apart internally and would short out the battrery. Good luck