Cutlass won't start for some reason
#1
Cutlass won't start for some reason
So I bought this 77 cutlass from the junk yard a few months ago.... I got it started up and I've been driving it around a bit. I need to get it out of my garage to get my parts car in there but now it won't start. When i turn the key nothing happens except for the "hot" light turns on in the dash. The headlights turn on and I checked the battery and everything looks good there. I thought it was maybe the ignition fuse but interestingly enough there isn't even a fuse in that spot.
Could anybody give me some advice on what to check next? Thanks.
Could anybody give me some advice on what to check next? Thanks.
#3
To add to what sugar bear suggests, are all the terminals clean at the batt and the starter, what about the fusible link at the starter? Could it be the control module under the distributor cap ?
#5
If that doesn't work, move the shift lever the opposite way, and try Neutral and the area around it.
If that doesn't work, pull the plug from the neutral safety switch, short the terminals with the purple wires with a paper clip, MAKE SURE THE CAR IS IN PARK, and start it up.
- Eric
#7
Thanks for the suggestions, guys. The headlights don't dim when I turn the key and I already checked the battery terminals. I will have to try some of your other suggestions after work.
Oh.....How was the car starting with no fuse in the ignition spot? Did somebody hardwire it or something?
Oh.....How was the car starting with no fuse in the ignition spot? Did somebody hardwire it or something?
#9
I think what your looking at is the supply terminal for any accessories you want to add requiring the ignition key to be turned to "ignition". It is not a fuse location. Think of it as an open spot on your house electrical panel for use later. Follow the suggestions provided and see if any of them work.
#11
Well. I tried to wiggle the shifter and I shorted the purple wires on the neutral safety switch but that didn't work.
Could it be the engine is stuck? The little 260 was using coolant. If it was leaking into one of the cylinders it could cause it to lock up, right? Or not?
It was running well when I parked it.
Could it be the engine is stuck? The little 260 was using coolant. If it was leaking into one of the cylinders it could cause it to lock up, right? Or not?
It was running well when I parked it.
#13
Check it by hand. If engine is stuck you should be able to hear the solenoid engage. Headlights should also dim. Check volts at solenoid. What volts do you show at battery while cranking?
#14
I turned the engine over with a breaker bar so I guess it isn't stuck. I also wiggled the wire around that I used to short the purple wires on the neutral safety switch just to make sure that it was getting a connection.
I don't have a meter to measure cranking volts. I did take the battery out and connected it to my charger and my charger said that it had 12.3 volts.
The mystery persists.
I don't have a meter to measure cranking volts. I did take the battery out and connected it to my charger and my charger said that it had 12.3 volts.
The mystery persists.
#15
So it won't crank at all as of yet? not even a click at the starter? Hit the starter with a hammer a few times and see if that makes a difference. Don't pile drive it, just a few good wacks.
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