I am at a complete loss here. I decided to change my starter and now both the original and new startes do not work. Here is the situation:

I had a working starter (3 wires) which one time would not start the car. It would just go click, but after a few tries, it worked. I have headers...

Since it messed up once, I decided to replace it with a smaller AC Delco high torque one (two wires). I connected the battery and the thick wire to it (I do not have a resistor, HEI). The starter worked about 5 times and then it would just click. I returned it and I received a replacement one. The company said that the solenoid went bad, but I do not think they tested anything because they sent me a new starter. The replacement starter goes click too.

I re-install the original starter connecting all 3 wires. It goes Click too. WHAT HAPPENED????

My battery is charged. I also tried jumpstarting it. My fuses are OK. I have HEI ignition, which worked. The engine turns with a breaker bar. The alarm is OK. :confused:

My car is a 68 Chevelle with a sb400 and 200-4r tranny. I was just replacing the drum brakes with disc and decided to replace the starter.

What can possibly have gone wrong??? Please help. This is driving me crazy. graemlins/clonk.gif I wish I would have never removed the original starter... graemlins/angry.gif

Theo.

First thing, does it work out on the ground? Just hook up jumper cables, Black to the mounting flange, Red to the BIG post. Using a jumper, touch the BIG post to the solenoid engage post. If it works on the ground, then it should work in the car. You'll have to trace down the wiring but at least you'll know which has the problem.

When you jumped it did you put the negative (-) jumper cable to the battery (-) post? If you did try moving it to a clean spot on the block. Clean up the bolt that holds the negative cable to the block and attach it to that bolt. The negative cable to the block connection is sometime the problem with a car not starting.

I tested the starter and it works when it is off the car. So, the problem is somewhere in the car. First of all, this was a working car. I drove it everyday until the front drum brakes decided to self-destruct. The driver side drum broke in two while I was braking...

I decided to install Corvette front brakes and I've been collecting parts for three weeks now. Long story... Last time I started the car was last week.

I also checked the ground on the block. It is clean, as I recently installed a new high volume water pump and the ground connects there. The power wire seems good also, on both sides.

I did switch from 3-wire starter to 2-wire. It is my understanding that the 3rd wire is needed only if you have a resistor in the ignition system. I do not have a resistor as I have a HEI distributor.

Which wire to the starter do I leave disconnected? I connected just the Batt (very heavy) and the next thickest one. Is that right? The car did start about 5 times before it quit with the first starter.

What could have gone wrong?

By the way, you guys are incredible! I feel very fortunate for this forum and all of you. Thank you!

Theo.

well, I checked the neutral switch, just in case, but it was not it. When not in neutral, the starter does not even click.

I tried a couple more times to start the car and the car turned over and started, with the old starter!!!??? Now I am completely clueless.

Why did the starter not turn the engine all this time and now it started working again. I did not do anything to the installed starter. I checked the removed one (new)...

Any ideas? How can I prevent this in the future (except by not messing with the starter again)?

Theo.

The Yellow wire is the 'resistor' bypass wire. The Purple wire is from the N Safety switch. The Yellow wire should be taped off and not connected.

had same problem on my 71 chevelle ss, wound up being my battery cables, they looked good but when i changed them my problem went away.

Bill,

I will change them also. They are cheap insurance.

Thanks,
Theo.

Dave,

I believe I have them connected right. I know that the Purple wire is heavy gauge, at least heavier than the Yellow wire.

Thanks for the info. I will replace my battery wire to the starter and ground, just in case.

Theo.

Well... it seems that it was a marginal battery-to-starter (+) wire that was the problem. I replaced it with new higher gauge one (2awg, overkill) and the problem seems to be gone.

Thanks guys,
Theo.