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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
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Try a different coil. Sounds like you're not getting spark. Pull the cap and have look inside. Check all your fuses.
Easy stuff first.
Robert
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If the engine cranks over at a normal speed, don't blame the battery or starter.
If the engine cranks over slow and you have HEI, check the battery voltage, or try starting while jumped to another car's battery.
Alternator has nothing to do with starting directly, but can cause low battery voltage leading to slow cranking and weak spark.
If you have a timing light, put it on a plug wire and see if it's firing while cranking.
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I tried jumping and it didn't work. It did the last few times, but not anymore.
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Does it sound like it cranks over normally? Do the fan and pullies turn along with the starter?
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sounds normal, everything turns
any recommendations on batteries?
Last edited by michaelmerc; 08/14/08 11:58 PM.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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
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Check fuel pump make sure you have five pounds or more at the carb, check your fuel filter?
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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.
Good luck! I hope it's as simple as the fuel!
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...ok, I have a full tank...just filled it up before I parked it.
It has adequate cranking speed...so ignition I will test. fuses look fine
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My guess is under the distributor cap... worn rotor/cap, points.
Tom '69 Firebird 400 4spd conv  
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Check codition of the plugs as well as all the stuff Vickie recommended, fouled plugs will cause you trouble as well.
I believe you tried starting fluid as well and got no fire, it's in ignition circuit: cap, rotor, points, wires.
Steve
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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...
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When you crank the engine, the rotor turns. How's that happen, with a button contact in the cap?
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When you crank the engine, the rotor turns. How's that happen, with a button contact in the cap? \ahhh ,yes...mine didnt do squat...you`re right...(as usual!)
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...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 
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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; 08/22/08 01:47 AM.
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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.
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Keep it simple.
Does fuel spray in th e carb when you pull back the throttle lever?
Possible fuel pump or plugged filter at carb.
Is there spark to the plugs?
HEI distributor.
Usually pole piece(wire broken), or bad module.
All wiring looks good. No mouse nibbles?
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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. on 4. , you can just smell the dipstick too...
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. [/quote] on 4. , you can just smell the dipstick too... [/quote] Yes, but wheres the fun in that
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on 4. , you can just smell the dipstick too... [/quote] Yes, but wheres the fun in that [/quote] I agree ,not that fun....LOL
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Wow, never thought you where a dip stick sniffer.
Learn something new every day
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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
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Wow, never thought you where a dip stick sniffer.
Learn something new every day Not that there's anything wrong with that..... 
 400HO vert, 3 speed, 8-track, deluxe parchment/flambeau burgandy
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Now thats funny, i dont care who you are.
Great one Z_Firebird.
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400HO vert, 3 speed, 8-track, deluxe parchment/flambeau burgandy
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Wow, never thought you where a dip stick sniffer.
Learn something new every day LOL, that doesnt sound too good....lol
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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.
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