Good day everyone,

I've been reading around the forum and it seems like I have pinpointed the problem. I just want to make sure I was on the right track. The ride broke down at work yesterday. I took the battery to charge it at home. Fully charged over night and brought it back to work. Car still didn't start. Everything is on - radio, lights, no electrical issues as far as I can tell inside the cabin. I took the battery to O Reilly's to see if a cell was damaged etc. They checked and charged the battery some more and told me it was good to go. I brought the battery back and the car still didn't start. Here is the list of everything that been repaired on it within the past year.

Alternator is less than a year old (car did sit out in winter covered for six months) Going to take it off today or tomorrow to get it tested

Starter - just had the flywheel replaced by the shop. They told me the starter was good. That was two weeks ago. When I turn the car on and try to start it I hear one click.

Battery cables - put gel on the connectors and wire brushed them. Unknown at the time if they have come loose/corroded (are there multiple grounds or connections for the cables? Where can I buy replacements?

Ignition Switch - replaced less than 3 months ago

Checked fuses and they all seem to be in good working order

Tried to jump start the car the other day and it did not want to start at all.

Thank you for your time!

 

Won't turn over or it does and wont start?

 

It wont crank.

 

If you are hearing a click you either have bad connections someplace or starter issue.
have you tried to jump it?

 

Thank you for your reply. I tried to jump start it yesterday. It did not start .

 

If it's clicking you need to ck connections.
I'd try to jump directly at starter.
and if that doesn't fix it, have starter checked

 

Does it click once and then act like its dead or does it click every time you turn the key? From what Ive found, if it clicks once then everything goes dead, its most likely a bad connection. If it clicks every time you turn the key an everything else stays on once released, Its most likely the starter/solenoid. They are cheap and not to hard to replace, if your going to replace it, I would suggest getting one of the mini high torque ones if you ever have plans of putting headers on. To be sure, try what cruisin said and arc the starter to see if it engages. One last thing, I guess it could be the vats system, dont have that on my car, but I know if the resistance is off on the key then the car won't start.

 

there is no vats on 84 vettes. Even if there was, and that was the problem, there would be no clicking

 

Ya, I did know that lol just tired I guess

 

Thank you! It click everytime I turn it on.

 

I remember after getting mine I broke the starter from all of the turning on that goes with refurbishing the engine.. I bought a duralast cheapo and
to my delight been working for 4 yrs.

 

Oh! Thank you for that insight.

 

So the starter is good. It's doing something weird. The only time is will start if I tilt the wheel down a little bit to the closest setting. It sounds like something behind the steering wheel.

 

Is your steering wheel loose? A common problem that should be repaired, but the problem with your starter can probably be fixed by adjusting the position of your ignition switch, which is located near the bottom of your steering column. As you may know, there is a rod that connects your key cylinder to the actual ignition switch. Notice the adjusting slots in the housing:

 

Thank you! I appreciate your wisdom. I will get underneath there and take a look. I remember replacing this part, putting the rod in, then taking out the pin. Is there a way to adjust the rod to a different slot?

 

I'd try adjusting the position of the switch a little bit. The rod only fits in one position.

(The switch might be defective)

 

Adjusting the position would that include taking the screws out etc and the rod?

 

Tonight I put in a different ignition switch. This one did not have a pin in it. I put the switch in and the car started by itself without the key in it when I put the positive and negative cable back on. It was like the switch was already in the on position. The negative terminal was smoking and sparks were flying? Did I install it wrong?

 

did you install an ignition switch or a ignition lock cylinder?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-GM-...4AAOSwQ9xcgObF

 

Somehow, I don't think that's quite normal!