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3/07/2021 7:04 PM  #1


Starting issues

Hi Everyone! I am working with a 66 coupe, 347 stroker, AFR 185 heads, Trick Flow Stage II cam, MSD Digital 6 Plus ignition. Started about a month ago and all was good. Fired right up. Now I get nothing when the key is turned. No click, no whine, nothing.  Aftermarket gauge shows just under 14 volts, lights are on, ignition box lights are on. Tried the following with no effect:
- trickle charged.
- tried to jump start with my SUV. Even let the SUV run for 10 minutes with jumpers hooked to the 66.
Any ideas on next step of troubleshooting. Thanks for any help you all can provide.
-Tim

 

3/07/2021 9:20 PM  #2


Re: Starting issues

It don't sound like you have a battery problem but a wiring/contact problem. Are you getting positive voltage to the solenoid? Do you have a neutral safety switch? Are you using old style solenoid or one on the starter? Give a little more info on how you have the starter system wired or a wiring diagram, and there are a lot of good wiring guys on  here that can figure it out. i'm sure someone will


If this forum can't fix it, it isn't broke.
 

3/07/2021 10:26 PM  #3


Re: Starting issues

Take the battery and get it load checked.   Don’t go chasing complicated stuff until you are SURE about the simple stuff.  Batteries can show good voltage but still not be able to start the car.
Check the firewall plug where the ignition wires go through the firewall near the accelerator linkage and near the driver side fender.


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

3/08/2021 10:42 AM  #4


Re: Starting issues

As a first step in troubleshooting, try "jumping" the starter solenoid by going from the battery cable terminal on the starter solenoid to the "S" terminal on the solenoid.  The starter should engage, if it does, there is a problem in the wiring/connections to the "S" terminal on solenoid.


65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
 

3/09/2021 6:11 AM  #5


Re: Starting issues

First, check the obvious, did you do anything recently before this issue started?  Did you unplug anything (like the neutral safety/reverse light plugs which are easy to swap and make it so the car won't start)? 

If that isn't the case, then I agree with MS, start with the battery.  Either get it load checked, or you can make sure its fully charged, then put a multimeter on it and have someone else turn the key and see what happens.  I've seen batteries that had 12.6V and dropped to 8V the instant the key was turned.

Next I'd check all cabling, particularly grounds.  I've seen bad cable ends cause a condition almost exactly like you describe.  If wiggled the car would magically start. 

After that I'd look at the solenoid.  Pretty easy to bench test with a multimeter and a good battery.  Should have continuity through it when power is applied to the S terminal, and no continuity without power applied.  If the solenoid is good then something is off in the ignition circuit wiring as BobE states. 

 

3/09/2021 9:03 AM  #6


Re: Starting issues

Thanks everyone. I will get the battery checked and then move to the starter solenoid. Will let you know how it turns out.

     Thread Starter
 

Board footera


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