[69softy]

I was driving my 68 to drop of the kids, about 15 mins. Went in dropped them off came out to start the car heard a click and then nothing. No noise when turning the key again. The lower right idiot light cam on but nothing else. Tried a few times and nothing. Got out and wiggled the wires around in the engine compartment, could not see anyhing loose. Tried it again and nothing. Waited a few minutes then tried it again and it started right up. Ran great to work(30min) and home in the evening. Went out to start it this morning and the same thing happened . What do you guys think it could be and where should I look first?
Thanks for the help

 

[John_Muha]

Battery cables are always a good beginning point. They need to be clean and tight. The large ground cable to the block can cause that problem also. That also needs to be in good shape.

 

[70chevychevelle]

hey john i was wondering if they is any way to test the big ground cable to the block. cause mine wont start all the time either

 

[John_Muha]

Originally posted by 70chevychevelle:
hey john i was wondering if they is any way to test the big ground cable to the block. cause mine wont start all the time either

Usually I don't test them. If the ends look old and junky looking, I replace them. Buy mine over the counter at the parts store.

 

[71boo]

I agree. They are relatively inexpensive, and it is a good starting point for eliminating the problem. I learned last weekend that grounding problems cause the majority of the electrical demons we think possess our cars, haha. I spent the better part of last weekend replacing what I thought was a dead starter, only to find out that my problem was mr. yucky green corrosion on my negative battery cable. Every time I went to start the car, the starter would either click, or just barely turn over and then stop. In my case, I simply stripped the negative battery cable to expose new, clean wire; then I hooked it all back up and started up with nooooo problem!

 

[69softy]

It looks like the pos cable is corroded. I'll have to clean that up.

Can you explain why it would be such a sudden on/off thing. I could understand if it was less and less as the corrosion became worse.

thanks again for the help.

 

[71boo]

I am not sure about the sudden on/off. Mine was doing the same thing, and that is what prompted me to get a new starter (thinking it was either the starter motor or solenoid). I even replaced what was probably a perfectly good battery. Anyway, mine was always start after I turned the ignition key about 20 times, I have no idea why. Either way, I bet once you clean up that terminal (better yet, just replace it and re-strip the wires for good clean contact), the problem will be no more.
Sometimes I really crack up on the little minor things can keep our cars disabled. Fusible links, battery terminals, etc. $5-$10 parts are pretty important. Kinda makes you appreciate the little guys, haha.