oldsonharmont

I've had my '71 SX out a lot lately, but as usual... the more I drive it, the more things I need to tend to. Occasionally, I'll get no crank from the starter.
The key turns on, idiot lights light, but no crank... not even a dimming of the lights. Any ideas here, starter solenoid... neutral safety switch... ignition switch? Had the battery checked and it's fine... just a random gremlin. Any ideas where to start? Thanks as always for the replies and help.

olds425

Sounds like a dead spot in the solenoid possibly. You can jump the neutral safety switch when it happens to see if it starts then but I think it is the solenoid.

oldsonharmont

Thanks for the tip, very helpful. There's a starter shop nearby that does a very nice job rebuilding starters at a reasonable price. ($60) And it's an excuse to update the positive battery cable while I'm at it. Appreciate the help with this!

svnt442

I would start with the neutral safety switch myself. Try moving the shifter when it does it again and see what happens.

MN71W30

My 71 has an ignition switch that needs to be twisted all the way and it causes a failure to start on rare occasions. The next time the SX doesn't start, Keep the ign in the start position and wiggle the shifter or try in in neutral or just like Randy mentioned. That'll tell you if it is your neutral safty sw. I would put my money on the meutral safety sw.

oldsonharmont

That's a good tip, thanks and I'll give that a try. Somehow I think I'll end up doing both jobs since the car is mostly original.

Rickman48

I had a '69 coupe with low miles - same problems + replaced everything!
Once I found and hooked-up the ground wires from the firewall to the valve covers, [had fallen down before I bought it] all my electrical problems disappeared!

oldsonharmont

Yeah, the good new is mines all original... the bad news... it's still original everything! So I drive it a little, fix something... drive it some more, fix something else. (you get the idea) My goal is to go through as much as possible before I begin a cosmetic restoration.