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1978 Chevy Camaro wont start

Tiny
ICYONE
  • MEMBER
  • 1978 CHEVROLET CAMARO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 46,703 MILES
I have a 1978 camaro I recently replaced the battery after installing a motor and trans I completely rebuilt at first the car wouldnt start I had no interior lights, no headlights, turn signals, brake lights then the car turned over and started but still no lights of any kind. Then after running for about 2 min the car shut off as if I turned off the switch and again it wouldnt even crank over. Now before I replaced he battery it cranked over fine and all the lights worked, what do you think could be the problem?
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Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 AT 2:41 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hi icyone, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for the donation

Double check battery and connections also at the starter motor end-

Lets start by checking and testing all the fusible links and also the ignition switch and then comback with some testing results we start here
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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
ICYONE
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Ok I found a loose wire and fixed it started it up and let it run for about 10 min.I then shut it off.I tried to start it today and nothing no crank over, no clicking, nothingi checked the fuses-ok.I checked the battery-ok all wires are hooked up I noticed one of the starter wires on the header a tad melted but not too bad but I replaced the wire still wont crank or make a noise, ok I have 2 wires comming off the starter one has power the other dosent now if I take the small one the one not hooked up with the battery cable and straight wire it to the battery the starter goes like crazy but when I hook it back up to where it goes on the harness(the same spot it was when it started yesterday) I get nothing. Please give me a clue for I am not so hot with electrical. Thank you
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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
How many small terminal do you see on the starter motor other than the battery terminal? If its 2 small ones-the purple wire goes on the S terminal the other is the ignition bypass circuit that applies full battery voltage to the coil during cranking-

The purple wire gets it power from the neutral safety switch P/N position from the ignition switch-
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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
ICYONE
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
It has 1 small terminal but I found there is no power going to the small terminal, car started fine then nothing, no parts have been added or removed or disconnected since it ran my qusetioin is what could be wrong that all of a sudden it has no power through the wire I also made sure the reverse lock out rod was all the way uo and turned the coller on the sterring coloum tuned the lights on while trying to start they never dimmed or flickered either
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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If there's no power on the purple wire -inspect and test the neutral safety switch and the ignition switch-The power comes from the ignition switch then thru the NSS then the starter motor solenoid
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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
ICYONE
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Not to sound stupid bujt where is the neutral safety switch located on my 1978 camaro?
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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Its on the transmission
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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
ICYONE
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
I tried the transmission its not there but the diagram I found shows it on the stering coluum I plan to trplace it and see if that works
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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
ICYONE
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Ok guys I found the neutral safety switch its located on the top of the stering coloum next to the firewall.I replaced it and now the car runs fine thank you for all your help
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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 4:50 PM

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