teqdave

I just went out to crank my car and got nothing. The battery is fine because the lights work and aren't dim. I tried to jump if off and still nothing. I cranked it Saturday with no problem. Where would be the best place to start? I'm taking it into the shop tomorrow and would prefer not to tow it. Thanks for any suggestions.

David

Octania

Put her in Park maybe?
Then try Neutral and various other gear selector positions.
Assuming auto trans.

If it's not the Neutral Safety Switch, then start at the starter or starter feed wire and work your way back thru the wiring.

teqdave

Tried the other gears, even though the neutral safety switch was recently replaced. What is the likelihood that the starter has gone out? Are there any signs that a starter is about to die?

MDchanic

1. Bypass Neutral Safety Switch

2. Check for current at each side of purple wires on neutral safety switch while cranking, with test light.

3. Test for current at purple wire / S terminal of starter solenoid (harder to reach than the NSS).

4. Test for full voltage at starter solenoid big terminal - should be more than (+)12V at all times

5. Jump (+)12V from battery to S terminal of starter solenoid.

Your answer will present itself.

- Eric

oldcutlass

Eric pretty much covered it in the order your should troubleshoot.

teqdave

Thanks, but I just wanted to know what size hammer to hit it with (lol) because that is the extent of my knowledge when it comes to electrical matters. In other words, it sounds like I need to line up a tow truck.

MDchanic

Pushing it is better exercise.

- Eric

teqdave

OK, now I'm puzzled. Like I said, I am not much when it comes to electrical stuff but I did look to see if maybe it was a fuse. I replaced the 4 amp fuse at the bottom of the fuse panel which appeared to be blown. I tried to crank it and still nothing. After waiting a while, I decided to go try it one more time. i turned the key and nothing. I tried it again and it cranked like a champ but the GEN light stayed on. I turned it off and on several times and it kept cranking and the light stayed on. What would that tell you?

MDchanic

Nothing, other than that you've got some wiring problems.

The starting and charging systems are essentially independent.

- Eric

teqdave

After 41 years, I kind of suspected I would be due for some new wiring harnesses. I just hoped that it would wait until next spring. Thanks for your advice.

MDchanic

May not be your harness. Could just be a dirty connection or two.

- Eric

teqdave

I'm not usually that lucky. One other thing I did that may or may not make any difference was that I tightened the alternator belt when I first thought it was the battery not getting charged (the belt had been squealing when I started the car last week). But since like you said the charger and the starter are basically independent, I don't think it had anything to do with it cranking, but could it cause the GEN light to come on if it is too tight?

MDchanic

Nope. Only if it is too loose.

- Eric

Octania

Sounds like it's time to refresh the grounds. Inspect, clean, resecure.

Ground cable terminal at battery to radiator support
Big cable to engine block
small wire from aft end of RH head to firewall
block to starter case.

White Spyder

I live in Madison. Be glad to help you if needed. Let me know how to contact you.