Backstop

Hi all,
I'm in the process of getting my new ATK 383 going in a 73 coupe, manual transmission.

It's in the car, got all the accessories back on there, and ready to get the carb and distributor on there. But when we went to turn the motor over, to ceck if its on compression stroke, nothing. No clicks or grinding, nothing.

If I touched the terminals with a screwdriver, it will turn over (strong battery and connection) but we don't hear the shaft popping out and back. We used a testing light and just get a flicker when the key is turned.

I just put a new Lectric Limited engine harness in as a "while I'm at it" job, so I'd hope its not a bad wire.

Any ideas?

pws69

Clutch safety switch circuit open?

TimAT

Put a test light on the purple wire a the starter- turn the key to start- if the light comes on brightly, it's a ground issue from the starter to the frame. No light, or if it's dim, then follow the trail back to the safety switch. If you replaced the dash harness as well as the engine harness, check the connector at the clutch switch- the pigtail is short both from the harness and from the switch, it may not be plugged in real well.

Backstop

So here's a development.

I stuck my head under the dash and wiggled the clutch safety switch, seems tight.

Took the starter for a test, works fine. The guy said nothing was happening with the R post, but I think that doesn't matter to me if i have an MSD ignition.

Double checking with the test light, it's just a flicker when the key is turned, and then really dim. Then I pulled the yellow wire off the S post and turned the key and the test light was really bright!

So the wire is getting a good signal, but somehow its getting lost when connecting to the post.

TimAT

Should be a purple 10 ga wire on the "S" (inner small post) the yellow one is the resistor bypass to the coil when starting.

derekderek

First use a screwdriver or 12v wire touched on the small S post Tim mentioned. That should fire the starter. If not, it is in the circuit that puts power there. Source, key switch, clutch or neutral switch, etc. If starter doesn't fire and you have 12 volts on the S terminal, it is the starter solenoid. You heard starter motor spin, but didn't fire solenoid so you have battery power at big 12v terminal and good enough ground.

stingr69

The yellow wire is hooked up wrong. Should be on small "R" terminal away from engine. Yellow wire is really not used if you do not run points.

Purple wire goes to "S" small terminal close to engine block. Gets 12V from twist of key when everything is right.

sambrand

its the bendix, pull the starter and have it bench tested, odds are you have something else funky in the wireing harness but the starter just whirring indicates the bendix isn't engaging, only way to properly diagnose this and any other ssues with the staer require it to be on the workbench or most local parts stores will also test it for free, if the starter fails bench test that gives you an indication the starter needs rebuild/replace, if the starter tests ok then start looking at your new harness mods, theres not a lot in that circuit so I am skeptical that something was mis installed unless it was just one of those omg I cant believe I did that moments we all have from time to time.

Backstop

Just to be sure, this looks right? The clutch safety looks tight and purple goes in the same side purple comes out, it's not reversed with purple/white. I just unplugged the old harness and plugged the new one back in, nothing changed under the dash, and the starter was reliable when the car was parked plus the bench test was OK, so I can't imagine anything changed there.