rossdev

I've got a 1976 Oldsmobile cutlass supreme with the 350. She won't start. So far, I replaced the neutral safety switch and the ignition switch. Nothing happens at the turn of the key. This model does not have the tilt steering wheel. Any ideas?

drop top olds

Check the following:

1) if no crank- check the wire leads to the starter solenoid. Sometimes the insulation gets cooked by exhaust heat or get welded to the exhaust pipe.
2) engine cranks no start- HEI module in the cap.

Might be a good idea to use a multi meter and start checking circuits: starter, distributor etc. for continuity.
Post more info and members here may be able to steer you better.

76olds

X2 with steve. Did this just happen or has the car been sitting for some time?

rossdev

Thanks, I plan to check out the starter solenoid tomorrow.

The car has been sitting for about a year, when my father parked it he said was having trouble with the neutral safety switch. Other than that it ran fine

rossdev

The starter doesn't even spin, its like it doesn't even get power at all. And the battery is putting out what it should

jerseyjoe

There is a fusible link from the junction block at the firewall. If broken you will have parking lights and not much else. Been too long to recall, pretty sure any iginition related will be dead. Might be worth checking.

rossdev

Do y'all know where the starter relay is locted?

oldcutlass

There is no starter relay on your car. The purple wire that runs from the neutral safety switch goes to the starter. Are there any dash lights on when the key is in the on position? You can jumper the purple wires on the neutral safety switch and then try to start it.

rossdev

I may have found my problem. The gear that rotates to push the rod through to the ignition switch is broken. No luck finding this gear yet, anyone know a place that sells them?