Won't Start!

by driveit Fri May 03, 2013 8:27 am

Can I pick your brains?

So I go out to my car yesterday morning. Hop in put in the and turn it. Nothing happens. Not a click, not a slow turnover, nothing. I hit it again and it turns over. Doesn't start, but turns over. It's cool there's no choke on the Edelbrock and it tends to be a little cold natured of a morning. I try it again and nothing. Once again no clicks or sounds of any kind. The lights are bright. I check the cables and they seem ok. It's a new battery. My only guess is the cable to the starter or the starter itself.

Any ideas?

by thatfnthing Fri May 03, 2013 8:55 am

I'm putting my money on the starter. I had a Camaro once that did that.

by driveit Fri May 03, 2013 9:38 am

Thats kinda what I was thinking.

by 77mali Fri May 03, 2013 9:59 am

Do you have a multimeter? You can check for voltage & amperage on the alt & starter pretty easily. If you just got the battery then check & make sure your grounds are back on tight or nothing came loose since the install. If it's cranking but not firing then the starter should be ok since the crankshaft is turning. Take the inspection cover off the trans & have someone try & start the car- that's the easy way to tell on the starter. (BE SAFE).

by Tom77 Fri May 03, 2013 11:17 am

Could just be cable loose. Pull on it I had one that pulled out of the soderless connecter. Good Luck.

by driveit Fri May 03, 2013 12:59 pm

Thanks for the tips. Gonna check it when I get home tonight.

by dynchel Fri May 03, 2013 1:46 pm

Another possible cause is the ignition switch going bad. Mine did this same thing several years ago.

by thepossumface Fri May 03, 2013 9:37 pm

check the rod that is on the steering colum my car did that and I checked EVERYTHING and we unbolted the steering collumm and i wiggled it just a little cranked it up while it was loose and bolted it back never had a issue with that sense then. you may wanna try that

by Limey SE Fri May 03, 2013 10:52 pm

thepossumface wrote:check the rod that is on the steering colum my car did that and I checked EVERYTHING and we unbolted the steering collumm and i wiggled it just a little cranked it up while it was loose and bolted it back never had a issue with that sense then. you may wanna try that

I have to do that with the SE, the collar by the dash I have to make sure it is turned all the way back to the left to start it and also take key out.
If this Dam rain would ever quit I could fix that as well LOL

by ant7377 Fri May 03, 2013 11:15 pm

Check the ignition switch .My Monte Carlo did it once too and it was kinda acting up by not releasing the starter when I would let go of the key. You can get the switch at NAPA.

by pila Fri May 03, 2013 11:52 pm

The ignition switch is fastened to the lower top-side of the steering column, and it has elongated ( slotted ) holes for the mounting screws, which is for adjusting it in the start position.
It's a bitch to get to, but you may be able to get the screws loose enough to slide the switch upward towards the top ( steering wheel) to get the rod to get the start position to work better. If that doesn't fix it, you will need a new ignition switch.
Easiest way to change the switch is to drop the steering column away from the dash bracket, and let it drop down some. It's also easier if the steering wheel is removed.
And if you drop the column, the little cable the moves the shift indicator had to be un-hooked to prevent breaking it when the column is lowered.
Hopefully moving the switch upward will get it to work.
It's not a bad job to replace it, but takes time and care...

by driveit Sat May 04, 2013 8:00 am

Thanks. I would never have thought about that or even where to locate it on the car.

Best forum around. Thanks everyone!

by driveit Fri May 10, 2013 7:46 am

Ok. I think that it is the switch on the column. I have no idea what it looks like or exactly where it is. Anyone have any pics of this or instruction for how to change it out?

by 1973montec Fri May 10, 2013 7:49 am

Its on top of col just below the collar. Held on by 2-5/16 head little screws. Has 2 plugs with about 16 wires going to it.

by 1973 454 MONTE Fri May 10, 2013 8:33 am

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
what he said

switch
Won't Start! Col110

plugs

by driveit Fri May 10, 2013 8:44 am

Thanks. You guys are awesome!!!

I love this forum...

by dynchel Fri May 10, 2013 9:38 am

I just thought of something else, parts of the 1974 seat belt interlock system may be your problem also. Look over the master cylinder for a orange square with a button at the end to see if your car was equipped. This only apply to part of the '74 model year, I had to research this myself since no one remembered such a short lived bad idea.

by driveit Fri May 10, 2013 9:39 am

ok thanks.

by Pontichev327 Fri May 10, 2013 9:11 pm

Everytime I have had anyone else try to start my 75 Grand Am, like at a shop, they always have to call me and ask why it wouldn't start."It won't start without buckling the seat belt "I always have to tell them, even lifelong mechanics have been stumped by the interlock! Evidently the Pontiacs used them on 75 models too.

by dynchel Sat May 11, 2013 6:57 am

My problem (with the interlock) was I didn't know it existed, it had been disconnected, and the seats changed. I started having a problem when the last remaining piece (the reset relay) started to fail. At first all I had to do was open the hood and push the button and it would start, until that stopped working. Finally I opened the thing up and permanently connected point a to point b, haven't had a problem since. <?>

by driveit Sat May 11, 2013 8:20 am

Could that be an intermittent issue? It seems that mine will start sometimes and not others. Note: I currently do not have a receiving belt in the car to clip my seat belt into and haven't since I have owned the car (18 years). The problem has only started occurring in the last week or so.

by dynchel Sat May 11, 2013 8:35 am

Probably not intermittent, but if it happens I would try to push the reset, can't hurt.

by driveit Sat May 11, 2013 8:51 am

Thanks again.

by McCauley5983 Sat May 11, 2013 3:23 pm

Nuetral safety switch just bypass it with a jumper wire and see if it starts

by driveit Sat May 11, 2013 3:26 pm

I tried starting in Nuetral and in Park and there seems to be no difference. I did notice that if I turn the key I can hear a slight sizzling sound! Not sure if that means anything. I hate electronic issues!!!

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