Hi Everyone, I had a problem with my 67 Pontiac Firebird 400 4 Speed over the weekend.. I drove it for an hour and a half in 80 degree temperature going and drove back in the same conditions. On the way home, I noticed both the left and right turn signals on the instrument panel were fading in and out with the Green color. It eventually went away on the ride home. Both signals were working correctly, but thought it was odd. When I got home, I parked in front of the house for about 15 minutes. When I returned and tried to start the car, the generator light looked strong, but the car wouldn’t turn over. No sound whatsoever. No cranking or clicking or engine trying to crank. I did notice that when I tried to start it, all the accessory lights, including the generator light went out. I push started the car and drove it straight into the garage. I turned the car off and it started up immediately. I did this another couple times with no problems starting. I don’t want to drive the car and worry about the car not starting. Any suggestions?
Not sure about the turn signals, but check the positive battery cable. I had a "hot start" problem when I first bought my car. Turned out to be the positive battery cable too close to the exhaust.
Are you sure its not the battery itself? My '68 acted like that for three summers until I figured out it was a low battery. Haven't had a problem like that since.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
Check the alternator. A bad battery will not affect a car when it's running - a bad alternator will. But a bad alternator will drain the life out of your battery really quickly.
If the alternator goes you will be running on the battery and as the battery drains, lights and other electrical items will slow down and die.
2012 Mustang Boss 302 #1918, Competition Orange. FGF replacement 2006 Mustang V6 Pony, Vista Blue. Factory ordered. 2019 BMW X3 (Titled to the wife, but I'm always driving it for her. So I'm claiming it) Old projects, gone but not forgotten: 1967 FB 400, original CA car. After 22 years of work, trashed by the guy who was supposed to paint it. I had to sell it. 1980 Turbo Trans Am 1970 Mustang fastback, 351C 4Bbl, auto 1988 Mustang GT, 5 speed 1983 F-150 4x4, built 302 1994 Chevy K2500 HD 4x4, 454 TBI
Agree with Bjorn, start with the cheap scenario first. Have you had the car for awhile?
Alternator test in garage= pull the positive cable from the battery while running, your car should stay running. If it shuts down, the ignition and accessories are draining the battery, meaning the alternator has no output.
Starter could be going, you mention hearing no click nothing. Bendix in start could be sticking from heat. Tap on it with a hammer, if your hear it click it will then turn over with the key. TAP not hit..
Could be hot start issue. Meaning vapor lock, fuel in carb too hot. But usually the car still turns over when this is the case, it sounds like weak battery or timing advance too far. Carb spacer will solve this.
Take the battery out and remove the alternator and have them load tested at your local auto parts store (free). As far as the turn signals...sounds like a ground issue I had. As far as the starting problem...could be alternator not charging/low charging or a bad battery.
Si Vis Pacem Parabellum
1967 Starlight black PMD Engineering 400 Auto 1968 Alpine Blue 400 4 speed 1968 Verdoro Green 400 HO 4 speed 2013 1LE 2SS/RS Inferno Orange Camaro.
I tried to start it again yesterday with no problems whatsoever. I went through my receipts (I keep all of them) and here is the list of dates I last replaced the related parts...wow!
October 05, 1993 Replaced starter and master cylinder. January 25, 1999 Battery and coil replaced. November 29, 1999 Replaced voltage regulator. May 18, 2000 Replaced alternator. January 14, 2003 Replaced battery (Diehard Gold). December 03, 2012 Purchased Pertronix Flame-Thrower coil. February 18, 2013 Purchased fuel pump.
A ten year old battery would be on the top of my list.
Funny how time flies, huh?
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
Agreed! Going to test the battery tomorrow. Semi-related question...
I was told by Cliff Ruggles today that there are a couple of holes in the intake manifold (between the manifold and carb) that he recommended plugging up. He said it was designed for heat to rise into the carburetor, but it was a mistake because it was too hot and affected start ups. This only occurred in the 67's. Anyone ever heard of this? Pics of where they are located? My intrepretation of what Cliff actuall said and what I wrote might be a little off, so don't blame Cliff haha! Thanks!