Re: Won't Start!

by bigredlaguna Sat May 11, 2013 3:35 pm

driveit wrote: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.

You bought this car when you were 9?

by driveit Sat May 11, 2013 3:48 pm

Sorry 16 years. I was 11 bought it for 50 bucks!

Rescued from the clutches of its demolition derby fate.

by 77mali Sat May 11, 2013 5:53 pm

driveit wrote:Sorry 16 years. I was 11 bought it for 50 bucks!

Rescued from the clutches of its demolition derby fate.

Awesome!

by bigredlaguna Sat May 11, 2013 6:07 pm

That's cool! It also makes me wonder how young some of our lurkers are here just gaining information about these cars.

I was in high school when I really got into working on them, but I remember classmates that had already had years of experience by then just doing mechanical stuff. That's the nature of a farming community I guess.

p.s. Good luck finding your electrical gremlin. Electrical problems are bar none the most frustrating to deal with. A good schematic, multimeter, and most of all-- patience is invaluable.

by driveit Mon May 13, 2013 11:34 am

Switched the switch with another old one and got the same result. Gonna check the starter later if the doesn't, work I don't know where to go from there.

by Bruisr Mon May 13, 2013 11:43 am

Pull the starter off, remove the solenoid. Disassemble the rear most portion of the solenoid, the plastic cap looking thing. Sometimes the contacts get burned. You could buy a new one or carefully remove the cap and turn the contact points to a cleaner contact. Save you about 10-20 dollars, but at least you will know once you take it apart.

by dynchel Mon May 13, 2013 12:34 pm

I would start a little more basic. Make sure the cable to the starter has power. Hold a test light on the solenoid and have someone turn the key to see if its receiving power when the key is turned, if it is then I would go with bruisers reccomendation. If its not there should be fusible links in the wiring, try to check for power before the fusible link. You will have to keep back tracking till you find where the power "stops". If the starter has power, its a starter/ solenoid problem. Good luck, I know electrical problems suck a$$. wazzup

by 77mali Mon May 13, 2013 12:49 pm

Make sure you disconnect the Negative battery cable before you start taking stuff apart off the starter, otherwise you'll get a jolt & 1/2. A multimeter is a wonderful tool to have, $20.00 @ Autozone or similar store.

by thepossumface Mon May 13, 2013 8:44 pm

im having the same problem again as well, i went to play with the rod but got no result.

by bigredlaguna Mon May 13, 2013 10:08 pm

thepossumface wrote:im having the same problem again as well, i went to play with the rod but got no result.

You are waaaay too young to have THAT problem! Very Happy

by thepossumface Mon May 13, 2013 11:59 pm

oh my lord, that is way to funny. I didnt even think of that till you said something gave me and the Gf a good laugh, lol!

by driveit Tue May 14, 2013 7:12 am

Ok on the last two comments I will say.... Ok I did chuckle a little. Anyways, I bumped the starter with a wrench and it turned over fine. I did notice as someone had suggested that there was a reset button next to the brake booster which I pressed a few times with no change in result. I keep noticing that anytime I turn the key to the start position I hear a slight sizzling sound under the dash which I don't think it coming from the ignition switch. It sounds like its either coming from the nuetral safety switch or the fuze box.

Any ideas from here?

by dynchel Tue May 14, 2013 7:30 am

If you suspect the nuetral safety switch check if you have power on both sides of the switch. If no power is getting through the switch, by pass the switch (test only) and the car should start. <?>

by driveit Tue May 14, 2013 8:04 am

Thanks. I wonder if the safety switch on a 70s chevy pickup would work?

by dynchel Tue May 14, 2013 8:36 am

I would guess yes, but don't know for sure.

by driveit Tue May 14, 2013 8:39 am

Might try swapping that out I think I can get one of those. Looks hard to get to!

Won't Start! - Page 2 1_bmp10

Is the above circled thingamajig the nuetral safety switch?[

by thatfnthing Tue May 14, 2013 8:59 am

driveit wrote:I keep noticing that anytime I turn the key to the start position I hear a slight sizzling sound under the dash which I don't think it coming from the ignition switch. It sounds like its either coming from the nuetral safety switch or the fuze box.

OPGI has neutral safety switches for our cars.

A sizzling sound is a wire or connection baking itself because of a short. Let it go long enough and you will get smoke and a dead connection at least or fire at worst. Fuse box is unlikely -- it's designed specifically against something like that. The design of the electrical system (assuming no changes) is that most circuits should be protected by either a fuse or a fusible link. IIRC, there are a couple fusible links coming from the positive terminal on the starter to feed the rest of the system -- start by looking to see if one of them looks burned or gets excessively hot when you turn on the key -- these are specifically designed 2 sizes too small in order to melt and sacrifice themselves in the event of a short so you don't have to replace all the wiring. However, you will have to determine where after the FL the short is actually happening and fix it before replacing the FL itself.

by thatfnthing Tue May 14, 2013 11:28 am

driveit wrote:Is the above circled thingamajig the nuetral safety switch?[

Yep. While you have it apart, you might want to replace the ignition switch above it also just in case.

by driveit Tue May 14, 2013 11:49 am

Thanks.

by driveit Thu May 16, 2013 8:55 am

I tested the switch with a wire loop and there was no changed. I keep feeling like it's something under the dash because I had heard that sound under there. I am having someone check the ignition switch and I may swap the nuetral switch after that I guess and tracing wires or hot-wiring the bugger.

Head Bang

Me now! Dreaming of this GoFast

but with my automatic of course.

by thepossumface Thu May 16, 2013 11:03 am

look on the outside engine bay were the steeringshaft is there is a thing that is attached to the top move that a little and see if it will work, that was my issue i think, i moved it and it started up,

by driveit Thu May 16, 2013 11:06 am

Do you happen to have a picture of that?

by thepossumface Thu May 16, 2013 11:19 am

here ya go buddy, Won't Start! - Page 2 Dsakjhas

by driveit Thu May 16, 2013 1:03 pm

Thanks. So, thats the shift linkage, correct?

by thepossumface Thu May 16, 2013 1:19 pm

yeah i believe so I think its for the colum shift cars but if its moved it wont start. so you gotta have it in the right location, try that and see what results you get hope it helps

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