Hey Guys,

I had an issue with my chevelle turning over. I started her up this morning and had no problems. I drove her around town and stopped 3 or 4 places and still had no issues. I stopped for dinner and when we came out I couldn't get her to start. I turned on the electronic fuel pump..Turned the key... pressed the starter button...and the starter engaged, but I couldn't get her to turn over. I turned the car on/off and repeated the procedure a few times with the same results. I knew I was getting fuel because When I raised the hood I could smell it. So I stopped giving her gas because I didn't want to "flood" Her. Finally I tried mashing down on the distributer cap and plug wires around the distributer cap. I got back in and after a few turns of the ignition she started right up. This is the first time this has ever happened. As I've stated b4 I know nothing about cars. Do you think because it's a 454 strip car that one of the spark plug wires came loose? The engine is always bobbing up and down. I'm scared because I don't want to break my new toy and I don't want to be stranded on the side of the road. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please help...

Chris

Hi Chris, you do mean that the starter would not rotate the engine, right?
Usually that means either a bad starter or not getting enough power due to low battery voltage OR poor electrical connections somewhere.

Unfortunately IF it is an intermittent problem, it might be hard to catch it in a failing condition in order to test things.

You need to get some voltage readings at the starter at the time of failure, otherwise check normal stuff like battery cable connections.
It sounds like maybe it might be just a bad connection @ one of the four battery cable ends.

"heat soak" at the starter? Maybe fab up a heat shield to keep the exhaust heat from the starter.

LK

Chris just a thought, check the negative ground wire coming off of the battery.. Make sure it is connected to the block or the alternator bracket, ect. Also make sure the contact surfaces are nice and clean.. Good luck and keep us posted...

Hey Guys thanks for the quick follow up. My voltage is ok on the battery and the starter will engage and turn but the engine would not start or fire up. I do have a voltage gague and I'm not noticing and drop when I go to start her up. Any Ideas

Chris