Car Will Not Start ... Help

[Brutal Buick]

My car has been undergoing a restoration since this past spring so it has not been run that much. It was started yesterday to move it back inside without a problem. This morning when they tried to move it it would not start. With the key on you could hear the fuel pump but then nothing when trying to crank it. The battery was charged at the beginning of the week so I'm pretty sure that isn't the culprit. What else could be causing this . Any help would be greatly apprieciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[MoeJr]

Check ignition switch on the column and safety neutral switch

 

[WIKEDV6]

Check ignition switch on the column and safety neutral switch

I second that, make sure the car is all the way in park, try turning the colum all the way to the left by hand after it's in park just to make sure and it has turned all the way. or put the car in neutral and try starting it.

HTH
Prasad

 

[Brutal Buick]

Thanks guys...I'll try to get down there tomorrow and give it a shot. I'll keep you posted.

Jamie

 

[Brutal Buick]

OK...Heres the update. The story gets more confusing now too. Tried to start the car in neutral and by turning the collar on the column. No luck. I forgot to mention this car has one of those dealer installed alarms (the one that looks like a calculator with all the buttons). I know that it has the ignition cutoff ...but it has the green light on so it should be ready to go. Am I right on this? Also tested the alarm by pressing the button mounted under the steering column (this is where it gets strange). The alarm went off but the power antenna also went up and then back down. This happened everytime I pushed the button. I am assuming whoever installed the stereo wired it into the alarm somehow. So basically I'm still stuck on this problem. Please help. TIA.

Jamie

 

[onslow]

Hi BB-

"Any help" is my middle name.

1. What was done to the car between the time it started yesterday and this morning? Some change to or disconnected electricals could be causing the problem. Push the guys who are working on it by finding out exactly what they were working on betw. the time it started and would not.

2. Check battery charge with voltmeter...Did it keep the charge from the beginning of the week? If so, check its cables, fuses, grounds for condition and be sure they are hooked up where they should be...don't forget that ground from the "-" batt cable to the inner fender.

3. Take the alarm/ign cut-off out of the equation...Do you have a way to disconnect it/defuse it? Ditto for the radio and antenna.

4. Check starter solenoid...I used to have a starter with a balky/sticking solenoid and had the same symptom you describe...it was intermittent and would unstick with a few sharp mallet whacks.

5. Check starter for oil saturation...esp if there is a rear main leak.

Hopefully, someone with more electrical experience will chime in with info about other grounds and circuits I have not mentioned.

Good Luck!

Please let us know how you progress.

Steve

 

[turbo39151]

I jusy finished fixing the SAME EXACT problem. I did all of the troubleshooting crap and nothing worked. I checked the neutral safety switch (they rarely go), I checked the factory alarm ( non-issue) Checked the solenoid and it didn't work so I put a new one and IT didn't work. I benched the starter and solenoid and they both worked. Re-installed and nothing!!!

Finally, we discovered tht the starter had an intermittent problem and that the solenoids were good. I orderd a mini starter from Mike at DBelectric --dbelectrical@comcast.net-- The starter was like $67.00 or something like that. Best customer service ever!!! :smile:

I installed it and now there are no problems...

-Good Luck