Guys and gals,

Simple question on our Pontiacs, but read carefully:

In the process of eliminating problems and troubleshooting a non-starting car, can we specifically state that if you "bump" the ignition key switch and the ignition rotor under the distro cap turns accordingly, then the starter is doing its simple single job, and can be definitely scratched off the list of possible issues?

My question would be, why do you have the cap off to see if the starter is working? You need to be more specific with your problem, does it crank and not start? Do you have fuel and spark? Do you have a good battery. What happened prior to this condition? A slow cranking engine will cause a no start scenario as well. Definitely more info required to be able to help you out.

Let us know!

Sounds to me starter is doing it's job. As Jeff said, start with simple tasks, have battery load tested. Ensure battery connections are clean and tight.I had + terminal lead on starter get bent, cause weak connection. Check for gas in carb? Move throttle while looking down carb, see gas "squirting?", HEI? Maybe module went out? Timing way off?

Lets keep it simple for now Jeff, as was my intention:

If you turn the ignition key and the distributor rotor turns accordindingly, can we agree that the starter is doing its sole intended job?

Yes, I believe you could assume that.

what does the first 3 letters of assume make you out to be most of the time?

If the starter is moving the flexplate/flywheel, then you should see the harmonic balancer turn and the rotor as well. No need to remove the distributor cap to see the balancer turn. Plus a broken timing chain or gearset will keep the distributor from turning even if the starter works.

I agree the "starter" is working, but that doesn't confirm that the solenoid is passing current through to the coil producing spark.

John, if your starter sounds good as its cranking and the rotor is moving I'd check power to the coil, or pull a plug and check for spark. If thats all good, and your getting some fuel squirting from the accelerator pump, it should fire...

Are you running points or?

This set-up is HEI, with the coil intergrated into the distro assembly. There is only one wire to the starter (other than the large battery POSITIVE connection).

This is an ongoing, sporadic problem of mine.

On one day the car will crank up immediately and drive all day with numerous stops. The next morning the car will decide to turn over strongly but not "ignite". Plenty of fuel and starter power (and movement), but no start. Then a few days later, after messing around with all related wires and components, the car suddenly decides to start strong again and run all day.

Driving me nuts, because I never know when (or more importantly WHERE) she will decide not to start.

Ok, sounds like we have an intermittent problem. When she won't start the first thing is to check for spark. Either pull a plug wire and buy a spark tester, or if you have a timing light, install the pick-up on any plug wire and have someone crank while you activate the timing light. No light, no spark.

No spark, start with checking for bad grounds, then you can try a new HEI module. The system is simple, unless you have some wiring issues you should be able to diagnose it.

Let us know!

Jeff is right, definately an intermittant ignition system wire or faulty HEI module. The spark check should confirm it. Good luck John, sounds like you have some good driving weather...

I've been brainstorming this all morning and just thought about something, ignition-switch related: That one wire going to/from the starter solenoid is connected to the ignition switch, correct? What then is sending a signal to the HEI distributor?

I'm having a brain-fart here, need my schematics.

Have you checked for spark yet? You need to take that next step first, otherwise you're just chasing your tail. You may have a faulty switch, but not very likely.

Thats that pink resistance wire we were discussing last week, altho you likely replaced the resistance wire to get a full 12v to the HEI unit. It connects back to the ignition switch.

did you check for spark yet? or even voltage at the HEI?

I'll check the spark/voltage tonight and see whats up.

Dave, yes I replaced that old resistance wire years ago and have the straight 12V wire.

You old-timers here know that I've been down this problem road more thsn once over the years. I'll go for months with no problems at all, then the dreaded "won't start today" virus takes hold again.

Sounds good, I'm willing to bet if you replace that module you'll solve your problem.

Let us know!

Doc Drivability! LOL quick change up that was

Hehe...ya like that huh??!!

Starting a new thread based on timing light results, thanks.

I'm thinking either 12 volts is not supplied to hei .perhaps bad connection at distributor "BAT" terminal or broken wire somewhere maybe even bad ignition switch .Need to check to see if voltage is present at dist while cranking .is the hei wired up using resistor wire? I have heard that HEI wont work right without 12v and I always ran a new wire.I can't imagine it has anything to do with starter unless its dragging badly.I 12v is present and connectiond is good and still no spark I would replace module,coil in that order.
I hope this helps
good luck ,Bill