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.

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.

and , check the belt to the alternator,...if slipping its the same as bad alternator...always try the "cheap" stuff first!

Check that ground wire...the one that goes from the negative battery terminal to the firewall...

and make sure battery posts are clean (use a post cleaner brush) and tight

Thanks! I'll give all of these suggestions a try.

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.

Good luck

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.

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?

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!