i had the starter in my 57 olds rebuilt. I put it back in the car and when i went to start it, it made a winding sound so i turned the ignition off and it still stayed on winding so i disconnected the battery. I went to try it again and the same thing happened. I pulled the starter back out and had them redo it again because the shaft was not engaging the flywheel. I put the starter back in and went to turn the key and there was nothing like it was dead. had the battery checked and jumped the starter with a screwdriver and she works but nothing when you turn on the key so i put in a new ignition switch and still nothing. I am lost what could be the problem. Any help greatly appreciated. thanks No power at the key but down to the starter yes new ignition and all i don't know.

 

Who is rebuilding the starter? I learned today from Stellar-Olds Club member that if you turn the key and starter keeps turning but not engaging the the flywheel, the shift lever on the starter was not re-installed properly( me). And I just replaced the thrust collar and snap ring on the 62 starter because this all started when I was going to do a compression test with coil wire to distributor cap off, starter kept turning the engine over with the key in the off position. Now all is good, hope this helps a bit.

 

The starter will work if i jump it with a screw driver but will not start at the key (ignition switch) which is also new.

 

Do you have the 2 smaller wires on the correct terminals?

 

are you talking about the wires on the starter? then yes

 

I'm not sure how yours is wired, but it sounds like you may have forgotten to put a wire on the starter big post. along with the battery cable. The ign may be fed from there. Look to see if you may have a wire that you forgot or missed when reinstalling the starter. Possible bad fuse link too.

 

there are only 2 wires on solenoid and no fuse link that is why i am baffled not much to these cars,pretty simple.

 

is my headlight switch and ignition switch connected to each other? because my headlight switch is not working but i don't see what that would have to do with ignition switch or starting. I am only asking, i don't anything when it comes to electrical. I just want to start and drive my Rocket 88

 

Your missing start voltage at the solenoid, start at the there and trace it back. Check the junction block at the horn relay (its common to the lights and ignition switch feed) and the neutral safety switch for just the starter issue.

Not an extremely clear schematic:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eiUVeVXptc...All+Models.jpg

 

ok, but i don't have nothing at all when i turn the key to the on position no gen light or oil light you know like when you are ready to start. thanks for the tip i will check that.

 

I would check your battery terminals, the starter terminals where the cable connects, and the terminal lugs where the horn relay is. That's the power centers that feeds all the main power through the car. I believe you have a bad connection or cable.

 

Problems like this are usually caused by something extremely simple, like, so simple that when you find it, you won't want to write back and tell us what it was.

I don't know anything specific about '57s, have never owned a '57, and have no manuals for '57s, so I will not make any concrete suggestions - I will just advise that you go over every inch of the wiring from the battery to the starter to the dashboard and make sure that it is connected, and connected properly (including the wires that you KNOW are correct already).

You'll find it.

- Eric

 

Thanks for the help i appreciate it. Getting ready to go underneath and check out my connections from starter to battery. I will let you know if i find the problem.

 

No luck finding the problem. Time to have it towed to my mechanic and have him deal with it.

 

You may suggest the amp guage to the mechanic. Have him take a look at the connections there.

 

Did you find the problem?

 

X2?

 

Gentleman my 57 Olds is fixed!!!!!!!! My neighbor came by and helped me. The plug that connects to the ignition switch i put in was not making good contact. He unplugged and plugged it back in a couple of times and she fired rite up!! She starts like she is new and runs that way too. Thanks for all the advice and help. At the end of the day it was something so ridicously simple!!!! My rocket 88 is back on the road!!

 

Glad you/he found the problem.

 

He told you so.

 

Ha ha. It's always something simple.

Glad you got it fixed!

- Eric

 

Thanks guys. I am glad it was simple too.