Elco won't start!

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Vrummer43

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Mar 2, 2019
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My 1987 Chevrolet El Camino has been in storage all winter. It has been hooked up to a battery tender for most of it and I started almost every week. The past two Winters there has been mice in the car although no signs of them are currently present. Today, I turned the key in the ignition to start it, I heard a tick, then nothing. I tried several more times and got no response at all. I know it is not the battery, but have no further clues. Please help! Thanks in advance.
 

565bbchevy

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Aug 8, 2011
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Mice and other rodents really like chewing on wires which could be one issue.
Did you actually check the voltage on the battery,even though I think it was a fluke my buddies battery maintainer failed and killed the battery.
 
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ssn696

Living in the Past
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Battery voltage? Below 12 and it may not have the juice to do more than pull in the solenoid -'click'.
 

565bbchevy

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Aug 8, 2011
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About 14.5V, if the guage is to be believed
A battery without an alternator charging it while running should be about the 12.7 volt range, I would get a volt meter and check the battery at the posts.
 
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ssn696

Living in the Past
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A battery without an alternator charging it while running should be about the 12.7 volt range, I would get a volt meter and check the battery at the posts.
Yes, that.
 

Max Headroom

Master Mechanic
Sep 8, 2011
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It could also be one or more of several other things.
  • Corrosion on cable ends
  • Loose cable connection to battery
  • Loose ignition switch wire at solenoid
  • Bad Neutral Safety Switch (they do occasionally go out)
  • Loose ground to chassis or engine ( G Bodies check the alternator bracket. The battery ground to the engine was usually there)
 

Turbo Zach

Comic Book Super Hero
Sep 8, 2015
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You can have all kinds of voltage. Amperage is what does the work. That is why you test a battery with a load tester.
 
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