I just bought a '88 C4 with the 4+3 transmission. Well sometimes I'll have the clutch to the floor and it'll be in neutral or 1st but still wont start or turn over. Today I had to get it pushed of the road since it wouldnt start but then a few minutes later it started and ran fine. No check engine light is on either. Any ideas? Earlier I thought the battery was too weak though it was at 11-12volts.
Also when it does this its like theres no power since it wont even turn over.

 

First check your battery connections, clean,tight. If so I would guess you have a starter going south.

 

Took a quick look on my clutch arm to see if there is a switch that has to be engaged before the motor will start. didnt see one but it could be inside the dash. I had that same prob. but it was on my mustang GT.

 

First remove your battery cables (neg first) and clean the cable lugs, bolts and battery terminals and replace the cables (neg last). The battery is considered discharged at 12.0 volts and below. Charge the battery with a battery charger. Next time it won't crank, unplug the clutch safety switch (up high on the left side of the clutch pedal arm) and jump the socket. Measure the voltage on the jumper when you hit , "crank". If you have 12v and no cranking, you have a starter problem. You can jump 12v to the jumper and the starter should crank. If no 12v, you have a VATS problem. If no 12v, try your spare ign key as its pellet contacts shouldn't be as worn as your everyday key but VATS makes you wait 6 minutes for a second try if it failed to crank. Remove the kick panel above the drivers feet and find the two wires from above the steering column that goes to a 2 pin connector and unplug. Insert key and measure the resistance on the 2 wires from the steering column, it should measure the same as the pellet. If more than 4% away from the pellet resistance or higher than 13k ohms, you need a new lock cylinder which will have new contacts that make connection to the pellet. You can temporarily bypass VATS by connecting a resistor the same value as the pellet across the 2 wires from the wiring harness (goes to the VATS module). You can use a 1/4 watt 5% resistor from Radio Shack. Don't permanently bypass VATS because 99% of thefts are done by bashing the column and jumping the ignition.

 

I just put a new Optima yellow top in her. But I think what it was is that you have to really push hard on the clutch for it to be started.