Any ideas where to start? I think my battery might be shot...that is going to be my first replacement. It turns over but doesn't catch. Thought carb might have clog...carb start didn't help. Bird has been running fine otherwise. Perhaps the alternator?starter? Thanks to all my online mechanics
Borrow a battery out of another car first if you can. Unless your battery has a dead cell, if it cranks fine the battery should not be an issue.
Check for spark. A timing light is the easiest way to do a quick check. If you don't have one, pull the distributor cap and make sure the cap and rotor terminals are fine.
A car needs only three things to start...adequate cranking speed (doesn't take much), working ignition system, and fuel to fire. A shot of starting fluid will tell if it's a fuel issue. Your ears will tell if it's a cranking issue. If neither, then it's likely an ignition issue. Ignition fuse, points or module, coil, coil wire, distributor cap, rotor are the possible causes.
Vikki 1969 Goldenrod Yellow / black 400 convertible numbers matching
sounds like ignition to me. I was planning on replacing the coil wire and sparkplug wires soon for cosmetic reasons. Now is a good time to do all I guess. Where is the ignition fuse? above the dimmer switch with the rest?
There is really not a specific fuse that provides power to the coil, just make sure that your fuses are good, which shows that there are no major issues. Just make sure you have 9+ volts at coil positive with the ignition on, AND while cranking. If you are missing the voltage at the coil positive either while cranking or with ignition on, follow the wires from the starter back up and be sure they are in good shape. They are vulnerable to heat damage from the manifolds. If you are missing the tube on the back of the head that guides and protects the starter wires, you are likely to have burned insulation.
Vikki 1969 Goldenrod Yellow / black 400 convertible numbers matching
this may sound stupid , but I`ve even been around mechanics that have that had problem and not checked (too easy)....for fuel...do you have fuel in the tank? gas gauge may be off.... see Vikkis reply abv (copied here)"A car needs only three things to start...adequate cranking speed (doesn't take much), working ignition system, and fuel to fire." actually it needs compression too...
that used to be my three things to look for on my dirt bikes if they didnt start, spark, fuel, compression spark, fuel, compression
Even if there is no fuel, it should catch on a bit with starter help spray in the carb. If it cranks as normal, and doesn't do anything at all (not even for a little bit) with spray help, there is an ignition problem..
I had problems with my starter in the past. It would crank, quite slowly, but catch on. Untill one day, when it wouldn't anymore, no matter what I did. Only after I replaced the starter for a new one, I learned the normal speed in which it should crank; quite a lot more powerfull then what I was used to. Turnt out my old starter had been dying for a long time, but I didn't know, 'cause I never heared it start with a good working starter! LOL.
My guess is under the distributor cap... worn rotor/cap, points.
it CAN also be, its VERY rare, but happened twice to me in the 60`s...rotor can be sitting at a so perfectly wrong place that there`s no contact...if its a manual car ,put it in gear ,give it a push so the rotor moves...if not manual, just take the cap off ,wiggle it a bit...
this happened on our Simca Vedette and on a friends Jaguar...not sure if it CAN happen on a GM car, but think it can...
...so far I got the parts...ended up being a different cap/wire/rotor combo...looks like previous owner changed to a HEI setup....ugh. The new battery worked fine though
Did you do what Vikki said, check for spark? if you don't have a timing light pull a plug, hook it up and ground the base. have some one crank it and watch for spark. Just don't hold the plug by the metal, hold it back on the rubber wire cap...or you will be dancing the jig.
Last edited by Dave's White Rock '68 Droptop; 08/22/0801:47 AM.
If you check for spark make sure to use another plug and not pull one out and start cranking it over with a spark plug missing.With all of the attempts to start the car there might be gas in the cylinders. This is what I would do.
1. check for blue spark with a extra spark plug, make sure the wire is grounded to the engine.
2. If you have blue spark take off the air cleaner and check for gas coming out of the carb when you manually push the throttle linkage.
3. If both of these are good (spark,gas) I would pull all of the plugs and replace along with shooting some oil down every cylinder hole.
4. Change oil, pull the dipstick out and see if it will light on fire with a lighter. If it will your crankcase is full of gas.
5. If you do not have spark or gas start with a fresh tune up fuel filter and maybe a fuel pump depending on fuel pressure.
If you check for spark make sure to use another plug and not pull one out and start cranking it over with a spark plug missing.With all of the attempts to start the car there might be gas in the cylinders. This is what I would do.
1. check for blue spark with a extra spark plug, make sure the wire is grounded to the engine.
2. If you have blue spark take off the air cleaner and check for gas coming out of the carb when you manually push the throttle linkage.
3. If both of these are good (spark,gas) I would pull all of the plugs and replace along with shooting some oil down every cylinder hole.
4. Change oil, pull the dipstick out and see if it will light on fire with a lighter. If it will your crankcase is full of gas.
5. If you do not have spark or gas start with a fresh tune up fuel filter and maybe a fuel pump depending on fuel pressure.
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
It ended up working fine after replacing the cap and rotor and coil. Go figure. Although the process wasn't as easy due to a wire that came disconnected causing no electric...you get the idea.
