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Author Topic: HELP! Turn key, no start!  (Read 4791 times)

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Offline TRAN5AM

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HELP! Turn key, no start!
« on: July 29, 2006, 09:48:55 AM »
Before I messed things up, my 78 with the 400 started fine. The wiper motor would click when I tried to turn them on, but did not operate.

I took the motor off and monkeyed around with it. I hooked it back up, but may have had one of the connectors reversed, because when I tried it again, I got no clicking at all. So, I pulled the connectors back off, then made sure they went back on the right way. Still no clicking.

Now here is the thing.... I don't have a starter now either!

When I turn the key to the first position, the gauge shows good voltage. When I turn the key to the start postion, I can hear the "ping" in the instrument cluster, but not a peep from the starter.

Could I have burned out a fusible link? If so, how the heck do I locate it? Today is the big cruise here in town, and I'm dead in the driveway. HELP!
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Steve Frey

"Put your seatbelt on, I want to try something.
I saw it in a cartoon one time, but I think I can do it!"

Offline Banditboy21

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HELP! Turn key, no start!
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2006, 10:09:11 AM »
does  the voltage drop when u turn the key to start the car
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Offline TRAN5AM

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HELP! Turn key, no start!
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2006, 10:22:36 AM »
Quote from: "Banditboy21"
does  the voltage drop when u turn the key to start the car

Yes. Voltage drops to nothing and the Brake warning light comes on.
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Steve Frey

"Put your seatbelt on, I want to try something.
I saw it in a cartoon one time, but I think I can do it!"

Offline ta78w72

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HELP! Turn key, no start!
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2006, 10:34:14 AM »
If you burned out a fusible link I would think you would have heard a pop or smelled smoke.

Do you have the car in "Park" or "Neutral"...I'm not trying to be a wise guy...but make sure.  Also, make sure you didn't pull out the neutral safety switch connector from the bottom of the column.  If it's connected, check the switch with an ohm meter.  If the circuit opens and closes as it should when you move through the gears, then start checking wiring.
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Offline TRAN5AM

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HELP! Turn key, no start!
« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2006, 11:08:13 AM »
Quote from: "ta78w72"
Do you have the car in "Park" or "Neutral"...I'm not trying to be a wise guy...but make sure.

Hey, I'll take any and all wise cracks!  8) And I'm glad you mentioned it.

I did try all the gear positions, when the problem first started, with no luck. After your post, I went back out to try it again, but still no luck.  :idea:  It did however make me think about the shifter position.

I reached down along the engine side of the firewall, to fiddle with anything along the column. I found a lever, attached to the column, with nothing attached to the other end (it looks like it should). I manually rotated it all the way down and tried the starter..........nothing.

I rotated it all the way up........Eureka! Fired right up!

Obviously the set up is not hooked up properly. Being the master mechanic that I am, I must have moved the lever when I took out the wiper motor (which is right above it).

Thanks for help. I'm such a loser.  :oops:
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Steve Frey

"Put your seatbelt on, I want to try something.
I saw it in a cartoon one time, but I think I can do it!"

Offline dazeakamike

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HELP! Turn key, no start!
« Reply #5 on: July 29, 2006, 11:50:17 AM »
its is a lock-out rod, it controls reverse lights, neutral safety and locking the shifter with the key turned off (on automatic). you have to make sure that it is tied up very well because if it comes loose it  could cause alot of problems from what I hear. At the bottom of the rod there is a bar that goes from the trans to the frame-rail and is moved by the shifter(thats what it sounds like you are missing) if its an aftermarket shifter... most discard that part, because to rebend it so that it will work is a real pain !
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Thats cute, where did they hide the other 4 cylinders !?

4 Bangers only belong on bikes !

Offline ta78w72

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HELP! Turn key, no start!
« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2006, 12:01:22 PM »
Another missing lock out rod!  Geez!  At least I was on the right track.
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Offline kyledyr

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HELP! Turn key, no start!
« Reply #7 on: July 29, 2006, 01:56:47 PM »
wow! if these rods were so important, why did everyone take them out? seems senseless! or is the "lock out rod crew" hitting cars all across america?
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"If you want me to be eco-friendly, make eco-friendly not suck."
'81 305 Trans Am WS6

Offline TRAN5AM

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HELP! Turn key, no start!
« Reply #8 on: July 29, 2006, 10:59:59 PM »
If nothing else, I suppose I've found an anti-theft device!

This would probalbly explain why I don't have back-up lights.
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Steve Frey

"Put your seatbelt on, I want to try something.
I saw it in a cartoon one time, but I think I can do it!"

Offline Hitman

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HELP! Turn key, no start!
« Reply #9 on: July 30, 2006, 11:51:03 AM »
Something so simple as those rods, yet create such a headache.

Another thing to check is pop the hood and make sure the engine is still in there.  Maybe someone stole it when you weren't looking.

Hey...... You said you would take any wisecracks, so I had to throw this one in.  :D
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Brett Campbell
"Hitman"
www.78ta.com
1978 Trans Am

Offline TRAN5AM

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HELP! Turn key, no start!
« Reply #10 on: July 30, 2006, 12:28:26 PM »
Quote from: "Hitman"
Another thing to check is pop the hood and make sure the engine is still in there.

Is that the big noisy thing?
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Steve Frey

"Put your seatbelt on, I want to try something.
I saw it in a cartoon one time, but I think I can do it!"

Offline Hitman

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HELP! Turn key, no start!
« Reply #11 on: July 30, 2006, 04:11:37 PM »
No, that big noisy thing is my mouth running..... it is the other thing that knocks and blows smoke... :shock:
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Brett Campbell
"Hitman"
www.78ta.com
1978 Trans Am
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