my Z28 won't crank

[wallballs]

Guys,
My 1996 Z28 will not crank! This morning it was dead as a door nail. Ran fine yesterday. All electronic systems are working (lights, radio, fuel pump primes). I hooke a booster up to it and that didn't help either. It made no noise. Kind of makes me believe the cluch sensor is bad. Anyone know where it is located? How to check it?

Thanks,
Lance

 

[GHOUSE78]

you sure you fuel pump is running in your tank?
stock gm fuel pumps suck, mine went bad already and i have a '98.
just turn the key and listen if you here it running

 

[TurboDave]

Originally posted by GHOUSE78
you sure you fuel pump is running in your tank?
stock gm fuel pumps suck, mine went bad already and i have a '98.
just turn the key and listen if you here it running

Now you'll have to explain how a bad fuel pump would cause the starter not to spin/crank the engine over.

 

[tjthorson]

clutch switch should be easy to check with a multimeter. Follow the clutch pedal arm up and the switch should be right there, kinda like the brake switch.....


Then look at the starter/solenoid wires for breakage, burning or looseness.

Then bang on the starter with a hammer while trying to crank.

If it cranks, replace the starter.....

Check loose battery cables to, may have enough contact to run the lights, but not to start.

Turn on the headlights. Do they do anything (dim) while trying to crank.

Igntion switch (on top of steering column, easy fix) could be a culprit also, but the starter connections are more likely.

 

[GS_Beavis]

DO NOT beat on a late model gear reduction starter with a hammer. You'll put a much bigger dent in your wallet. I'm not enitirely sure when the switch was made, but I believe LT1 and newer Camaros have these gear reduction starters. They are very expensive and don't respond well to beating.

 

[GHOUSE78]

woops, said in there too the fuel pump primes
my mistake, i must have read over that part
how come you didnt point that out too dave

 

[TurboDave]

Originally posted by GHOUSE78
woops, said in there too the fuel pump primes
my mistake, i must have read over that part
how come you didnt point that out too dave

The point I was trying to make is: The fuel pump priming or not priming has nothing to do with his problem. His problem is: The starter wasn't turning the engine over, no cranking, no clicking, nothing.
The fuel delivery system is out of the equation.

 

[slow87]

Check for voltage at the litte wire going to the solenoid, no voltage then somethin like the clutch switch is wrong. If there is power then something with the starter itself is broke(like solenoid, power cable from battery, starter itself).

 

[wallballs]

Can I bump start this car by rolling it off? I've never tried to bump off a standard **** with a clutch switch.....

 

[BlownZ]

Yes...you can jump it.

Good luck on your starter...you can't get to them on that car very easily. The service manual recommends taking the Y-pipe down....I hated that car.

PS make sure you aren't really being a nimrod and that the floormat hasn't bunched up under the clutch pedal and you just can't get it pushed all the way to the floor. If I had a dollar for everytime I have seen that. Again good luck.

 

[commiepunk]

Same thing happened to my dad's 98 Cherokee 4.0. It was a bad crankshaft sensor.

 

[84GNTTYPE]

I had the same deal with my 91 Topaz last summer. It turned out to be just a bad ground off of the battery.