Starter Issue - No Crank

[Tynan918]

'84 Monte Carlo SS...

My starter isn't cranking when I put the ignition switch in the crank position... It's how I start my car until I can afford another steering column.

I also have a bump starter button under the hood that isn't cranking the engine over... I used this to start my engine for months.

Only time I can get it to crank over and start the engine is if I jump it using a screwdriver, with the ignition switch in the on position.

I know it isn't the ignition switch because I have two of them, and 1 is brand new...same results with both.

The purple solenoid wire is getting power to it.

Used to start up just fine, until I over flooded the engine in the middle of traffic and continually kept trying to crank over the engine. My last attempt during that time, the starter continued to crank itself over on it's own for a good 30-45 seconds after I put the ignition switch back in the "OFF" position..

Had it towed home and replaced the oil and got the flooding to quit and carburetor under control...

Went to start it using the ignition switch and nothing happened...

Went to start it with the bump starter and nothing happened...

Jumped it with a screwdriver and it fired right up, but not with the bump starter or the ignition switch.

I don't trust to keep starting the engine like this as the starter may give out on me anywhere leaving me stuck and require another costly tow I can't afford...

My starter is good for a free replacement under warranty, and I'm thinking the solenoid gave out on it causing the issue I'm having now.

Anyone else think the same thing ?

Any other suggestions are considered. Thanks in advance.

 

[Tynan918]

Could this have to do with a park switch not being engaged.

How would I know ?

 

[LeftLaneOnly]

Will it crank in neutral

heres a link

start nuitral switch

 

[Tynan918]

As I said, I'm not an electrician. So if it's outside the realm of what GM gave it, I can't tell you squat about how to rig up whatever it is that's going on under your dash. It appears a wire has come loose or not connected well. Good wiring techniques and good insulation usually will not result in stuff burning up.

At this point, if there's no power to the ignition switch circuit, I'm thinking you're not starting it with a key or the remote switch.

I wish you luck. This is above my skill set.

I was starting it with my key until I accidentally pulled out the ignition switch rod in the steering column and couldn't get it back in, so the only thing my key is good for is unlocking my steering column so I can steer when I drive...

You've been a good help, its either the rigged wire or the starter solenoid, so the most I can do is test the purple wire for voltage and replace if needed or replace the starter...which I have a free replacement on warranty...

Quick question... Eventually after continuing to jump the starter with a screwdriver, it will kill the solenoid ?

 

[Tynan918]

Will it crank in neutral

I'll try that now...

 

[Tynan918]

Will it crank in neutral

Doesn't crank in neutral...

 

[LeftLaneOnly]

That rod needs to activate the start/neutral safety switch in order to start the car.
It's there so you cant start the car in gear.

 

[Tynan918]

That rod needs to activate the start/neutral safety switch in order to start the car.
It's there so you cant start the car in gear.

It always started in any gear before and after the rod incident... Neutral safety switch was never there.

 

[Tynan918]

It always started in any gear before and after the rod incident... Neutral safety switch was never there.

I've been driving it daily for a few months like that...

 

[Tynan918]

Testing the purple wire (starter solenoid), with the ignition switch in the "Run/ACC" position, the multimeter reads between 0.19 - 0.29

Testing the purple wire again, when I pull the ignition switch into the crank position to crank the starter, the multimeter reads 0.00

Testing the red power wire on the same connector, with the ignition switch in the Run/ACC position, the multimeter reads 12v

Shouldn't I be getting more voltage readings at the purple wire in either one of those key positions ?

 

[Tynan918]

This should be a good troubleshooting reference...

Purple starter wire

www.chevelles.com