Please help troubleshoot my ignition...

RockerMomsHotwheels · 02-28-2007, 11:30:48 AM

Hey everyone...I need some help...All of the sudden the engine wont crank with the key...
So to get up to speed...
We put the motor in...no trouble hooking up the wires on the starter...I double checked the connections...New battery...It cranked a couple times and then stopped working...The dash lights come on with the key but it wont crank...The dash and headlights do not dim when I try to crank it...The engine will crank and run when I jump the starter with a screwdriver...Is there a fuseable link or fuse somewhere to look for?I havent tried anything,I just moved to something else for now...

kain13 · 02-28-2007, 12:17:30 PM

try ignition switch there cheap and not hard to put in also check the battery first

zekefreak · 02-28-2007, 12:23:33 PM

I would look at the fusible link going to the starter.

68400BIRD · 02-28-2007, 12:51:38 PM

The fuseable link is the first thing I would check.

RockerMomsHotwheels · 02-28-2007, 02:36:37 PM

The ignition switch is new and how do I check the fuseable link...If its bad how is it replaced? I do have the steering wheel off to replace the switch...It cranked with the key a lot...Then it just stopped...How about a neutral safety switch?I did try it while moving through the gears...Its an automatic...
Does it tell you anything because I can jump the starter with a screwdriver?

Jim Streib · 02-28-2007, 03:16:32 PM

Do you have a test light or a volt meter ?. If so you can use those tools to trace the problem down.

Check this too but you may have lost power at the bulkhead connector.

Even new things can go bad but by using a basic tool like a test light or a meter you can see where you have power and where you don't. Ideally use a meter instead of a test light just to get in the habit. While checking voltages like on the starter solenoid a test light will work you don't want to use a test light on some other circuits as they can draw too much power and possibly damage things.

It's possible too maybe the shifter's nuetral safety switch is keeping power from passing through it.

Jim

71 Camaro · 02-28-2007, 03:28:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockerMomsHotwheels

...It cranked with the key a lot...Then it just stopped

You cooked your starter.

RockerMomsHotwheels · 02-28-2007, 09:59:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71 Camaro

You cooked your starter.

No it still cranks when you jump the starter with a screwdriver...I didnt mean that I cranked it until I smoked it...
So we used a meter on the positive side of the starter and had 12.39 volts and on the other wire zero until we turned the key to the start location and then we had 12.39 again...To me this says the neutral safety switch is ok,the ignition switch is ok,the fuseable link is ok...So did the starter solenoid take a poop?

71 Camaro · 03-01-2007, 01:15:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockerMomsHotwheels

No it still cranks when you jump the starter with a screwdriver...I didnt mean that I cranked it until I smoked it...
So we used a meter on the positive side of the starter and had 12.39 volts and on the other wire zero until we turned the key to the start location and then we had 12.39 again...To me this says the neutral safety switch is ok,the ignition switch is ok,the fuseable link is ok...So did the starter solenoid take a poop?

Prolly.

Cougar125 · 03-01-2007, 07:15:29 AM

I'd say check the solenoid (because you said the starter cranks when you jump it), then work your way back to the ignition. Between the good (starter) and the bad (the key) is the ugly (the problem).

wiseryder · 03-01-2007, 08:11:46 AM

Do ya get power @ the wire when cranking it with the key???

protour73 · 03-01-2007, 09:21:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockerMomsHotwheels

So did the starter solenoid take a poop?

Take a poop??........do we really need such vulgar language on this site???? sheeesh

LOL

Knuckle Dragger · 03-01-2007, 09:49:33 AM

You say it's a new switch? I'd check the adjustment, it sounds like it slid down the coluum a bit.

If it was the fusable link you wouldn't have lights.

Gary S · 03-01-2007, 11:27:55 AM

It isn't likey the solenoid is bad. The GM solenoid mounted on the starter is what engages the starter drive in the flywheel, and it works that way even if you have to short power to the starter with a screwdriver. With a bad solenoid, you won't likely be able to start it with a screwdriver either.
You need to look more at the wiring from the battery to the solenoid and starter. Jump across the neutral safety switch first. If that doesn't help, then look at the rest of the wiring.