85 no start condition
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: joyzee shaw
85 no start condition
My 85 has been in storage for awhile and when i went to get it out it wouldn't crank. before i put t away every so often i would turn the key and nothing would happen. no power to the starter. I would disconnect the battery reconnect and then everything would be fine.
Now i am getting nothing at all. no power to the starter from the key. starter was brand new before storage. someone said it might be the body control module but they were not sure. just trying to get opinions on what you guys think it might be
Now i am getting nothing at all. no power to the starter from the key. starter was brand new before storage. someone said it might be the body control module but they were not sure. just trying to get opinions on what you guys think it might be
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
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From: Tampa Florida
No real "body control module" (BCM) in '85.
The battery may just be totally drained.
I recommend disconnecting the battery and charging it for several hours.
Take the battery and have it "load" tested at a local autoparts store (most will do this for free).
Depending on the result of the "load" test replace or reinstall your old battery.......go from there.
The battery may just be totally drained.
I recommend disconnecting the battery and charging it for several hours.
Take the battery and have it "load" tested at a local autoparts store (most will do this for free).
Depending on the result of the "load" test replace or reinstall your old battery.......go from there.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
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From: Merritt Ils Fl
1147 is absolutely correct but I have a question. When you turn the key do the dash lights come on? Can you hear the fuel pump buzzzzz for 2-3 seconds? When you turn the key to start do the dash lights go dim, assumes they come on at all.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: joyzee shaw
brand new battery from in my truck so i know that isnt the problem. dash, radio, all lights work fine. just no power to starter when i turn the key. checked all of the fuses and they are good as well.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
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From: joyzee shaw
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Unplug the clutch safety switch (gear selector sw at base of shift lever if auto) and put at least a #14 wire jumper across the socket and measure the voltage on the jumper in crank position. lt should be 12v. If no 12v, then see if there is 12v from the ign sw to the start relay and if none, see if there is 12v to the ign sw. Can you hear the start relay click with the ign sw in crank position? You should hear it. Can you hear the starter solenoid click? If so and no cranking, you may have defective contacts inside the starter that are forced together at the end of the starter solenoid stroke and these contacts switch 12v to the starter motor.
Last edited by jfb; Mar 22, 2011 at 07:05 PM.
- 1986 Original Owner -
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From: North Yorkshire, England
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Not on an '84 or the OPs '85. On these pre VATS C4s, it isn't a start enable relay, it is a start interrupt relay. Solenoid is wired to NC contact. When theft system is tripped the relay energizes, breaking the path to the solenoid. Opposite of what happens on the VATS cars.
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Not on an '84 or the OPs '85. On these pre VATS C4s, it isn't a start enable relay, it is a start interrupt relay. Solenoid is wired to NC contact. When theft system is tripped the relay energizes, breaking the path to the solenoid. Opposite of what happens on the VATS cars.
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Seattle Washington
The 85 we picked up for a project Car did exactly the same thing You are decribing. Lights would come on switching Battery's didn't do any good try it an Hour later and everything worked fine. Turned out that by hitting the Starter Solinoid we could get it to start when it did this but by the end of the day it was just Dead. You said that You replaced the Starter but was it a new GM or a Mexican Rebuild? Our car had Headers that surounded the Stock Starter we are in the process of replaceing it with a GMPP mini Starter.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Jacksonville FL
With a recent starter replacement check all the wires for tightness, one or more may have worked loose. Definitely check the starter interrupt as suggested, mine is pretty finicky on my '85.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Paris Ontario
I'm having a similar problem on my 84. I replaced he flasher unit under the dash, I don't see anything lose or out of place. I also replaced the electric lock switch on the drivers door. I've got nothing when I turn the key to the crank position. I've checked all fuses, battery is good. Where are these solenoids, and is there a way to reset them?
The wiring on my door locks is laying in the bottom of the door. I'm wondering if this has something to do with it?
Sorry to hijack the thread, but I'm desperately seeking a solution!
The wiring on my door locks is laying in the bottom of the door. I'm wondering if this has something to do with it?
Sorry to hijack the thread, but I'm desperately seeking a solution!
Team Owner
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Have you tried to lock and then unlock the passenger side, using the key ?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Paris Ontario
I've found that there is power to the starter battery terminal. When I turn the key I no longer have power at the starter battery terminal, and no power here for a while afterwards. It seems to me there is some sort of security feature kicking in and not allowing power to the solenoid/starter when the key is turned.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
I've found that there is power to the starter battery terminal. When I turn the key I no longer have power at the starter battery terminal, and no power here for a while afterwards. It seems to me there is some sort of security feature kicking in and not allowing power to the solenoid/starter when the key is turned.
Make sure both battery terminals are clean and tight.