Im still having crank, no start woes. I attempted to start my vette and when I turned the key from the START to RUN position, the starter continued to turn and the cranking speed began to die down. I disconntcted the battery. Could it be possible that the ignition switch could be bad? If so how do I test it? Does this switch energize the starter solenoid? and does this switch have wiring that is in the same circuit as the neutral safety switch? I heard that the neutral safety switch can be adjusted. How so. thanks in advance.


[Modified by Oldguard 7, 10:48 PM 12/6/2003]

 

Why would you turn the ignition key from START to RUN? Should be a spring return switch. Do you mean RUN to START?
If it continues to turn the starter when back in the run position, yes you have a switch problem here. For the start motor solenoid to do that would mean the contacts inside are like welded together and the starter would turn anytime in the RUN position – also when turning from OFF to RUN. If starter continues to turn in RUN replace the ignition switch.
If your starter turns when ignition switch is in the start position then that’s normal. The cranking speed slows because your battery is losing power – normal but should take several minutes of cranking.
Now have you set timing? With the cap lifted just to look at the rotor, is the rotor pointing towards the cap terminal for #1 spark plug wire – while the dampner mark is about 0* on timing tab (could be at #6 too). This means #1 cyl (or #6) is ready to fire.
Next test is to pull a plug and lay it on the block and with the wire still attached toverify it sparks while motor cranks. If this shows spark and your distributor timing was close your problem is somewhere else in the wiring.
Now you need a wiring diagram for your year vette and start verifying wires with a multimeter. You can do this with battery disconnected on resistance – just read meters instructions. Or with the battery connected you can look for 12V to ground where the wiring diagram leads you to energized wires.
But YOU have to do this wire verification. Wire by wire. Too much involved to try over the internet.
Happy Hunting, cardo0 ;)

 

Yes I said it right, when you turn the key to the START position, the key will go back to the RUN position, the starter should not continue to turn while in the RUN position. One time I had put the key in the OFF position and the starter continued to turn. As we have both stated...the cranking speed will slow due to the battery losing power. Something is DEFINITELY wrong.

 

With GM starters it is posible for the starter to keep running once the key is back in the "run" position. It will do that if the starter gear isn't releasing from the fly wheel. Check to see if the starter is shimmed correctly before you start chasing the wiring. The nuetral safety switch is a set of contacts that won't allow power to the starter if it is not in the right position. Power from the ignition switch stops power to the switch so it isn't likely to be that.