1977 malibu wiring and starter

by jaymitch Fri Nov 11, 2011 2:03 pm

This is my first ever project and its been going great so far. I reached a snag after I installed a steering column; I cant seem to figure out which wires attach to the column. I have installed a new battery and when I connect the positive cable the wipers and lights will work, but the ignition will not turn over. Lastly, where is the starter for '77 Malibu located? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

by Tom77 Fri Nov 11, 2011 2:35 pm

Starter located back of the engine on the passenger side below the exhuast. Make sure you have wire loom with big red and purple wires pusher all the way together. Hope that helps.

by Tom77 Fri Nov 11, 2011 2:36 pm

Oh and by the way welcome aboard!

by jerry46765 Fri Nov 11, 2011 3:06 pm

The loom has connectors which plug into the column and ignition switch. If you have all those plugged into the correct location, there is also a neutral / park safety switch which won't allow the car to start unless in one of those gears.

by 77mali Sat Nov 12, 2011 12:01 pm

At base of column @ firewall (2 connections)
1977 malibu wiring and starter P1010910

This one is pretty self evident
1977 malibu wiring and starter P1010911

Top of column under the dash & instrument cluster (2 more)
1977 malibu wiring and starter P1010913

This one is underneath the column support and is screwd in by 2 small screws. You can't see it in the pic but should be easy to deduce.
Make sure that you slide the metal rod into the little hole in the unit. This connects to the other side of the column (see 2nd pic) they snap together and then clips into the column.
1977 malibu wiring and starter P1010914

by jaymitch Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:46 pm

Thanks alot! Really helped out

by 77mali Sun Nov 20, 2011 5:13 pm

Well? Did it turn over?

by 77mali Sun Mar 31, 2013 7:52 pm

OK, I need help. Figured I'd keep this old thread going also for other 77 Malibu related wiring issues.

I have a battery that is charged (I think anyway). Starter is wired & I have 12Volts there on the + side & - side to also run a Voltmeter. Also, 12 Volts at the Alternator. I have my engine harness plugged into the fuse box & the column is wired like described above when I posted that info for another member.

No power @ the key- no buzzer...nothing @ all. Took out the engine side harness plug & there is only 3 volts coming to what I believe is the Ignition Wire...What am I missing here? scratch

The battery is old but when I was checking the connections & such again it was still giving a reading of 12V. The 1 fusible link in the harness looks good too as do the fuses. Thanks!

by thatfnthing Mon Apr 01, 2013 9:30 am

First thought -- bad or missing ground wire from body/chassis to battery? I remember running into the same problem with a 1st gen Monte a while back -- separate 12ga ground wire from battery to chassis was disconnected. This could be what you're seeing -- the 3V you're getting is just the amount finding its way back to the battery via other routes. Part of the trick in testing electrical is realizing that the problem might not be between the batt + and your meter, it could just as likely be between the meter and batt -.

While I'm thinking of it, try this: run a long wire directly from batt - to where you are testing the ignition, and use that as the ground for your test. This way the juice has a direct path back to the battery. If it now reads 12V, your problem is on the ground side, not the + feed.

Also try testing at the horn relay. IIRC, there is a direct path from batt + to the horn relay post, so a lack of voltage would again indicate a problem on the ground side.

by 77mali Mon Apr 01, 2013 10:35 am

I'll check all the ground wires to be sure. (I bet you're correct).

Thanks for the input.

by 77mali Thu Apr 04, 2013 9:03 pm

We have JUICE!

Upgraded to 10 Gauge & bought a nice ground strap too. Thanks Thatfnthing (Mark) You're now the electrical Guru of the site by decree...LOL

by thatfnthing Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:51 pm

Excellent! The suspense was killing me.

And I accept that title with all requisite humility. Smile

by 77mali Fri Apr 05, 2013 7:02 am

LOL- took a while cuz I haven't been back in the shop since I posted the question.

After I reworked the ground wires- which I think were 16 or even 18 gauge- (plenty for the voltmeter to run off just not enough for the rest I guess)- I turned the key & heard the starter go! It was all of 2 seconds but one of the best sounds my ears have heard in a while! THANKS AGAIN!

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1977 malibu wiring and starter

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