Crank but no start

Tiny
GABE D.
  • MEMBER
  • 1978 CHEVROLET CAMARO
  • 5.0L
  • V8
  • RWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
Okay, so I am having problems with my car. The engine was just rebuilt and when I turn the key the engine only turns, I took a spark plug out and noticed there was no spark, I then replaced the ignition module and ignition coil and still nothing. I tested the voltage and it was still going through the full twelve volts, I then tested to see if any power was going into the coil with a light tester and I got nothing. Can somebody help me?
Monday, June 19th, 2017 AT 2:49 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
I just looked at your wire diagram.

Pink

Pink/black

Are related to the coil

Pink runs to the ignition switch.

Pink/black runs up to the fuses.

Check your fuses.

Even take them out and reinstall, they may have rust or corrosion on the ends. Maybe test both sides of 'em with your light with the ignition turned on!

Check the ignition switch for power too.

If need be, I can screenshot parts of the diagram for you.

The Medic
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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
First if you have a tachometer wire pull it off and see if it starts. Then pull cap and see if wire leading from coil is still there or if it broke off. If it broke you need another cap. Check pick up coil in distributor should be 650-900 ohms if not replace it. Then check coil for resistance using ohm meter go between B and C resistance should be 0.4-0.5 ohms if not coil is bad. Finally wiggle wires of pick up coil to module they are thin and over the years a vacuum advance wears them out and they lose connection.
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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
GABE D.
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Sorry for super late response, so I was able to get a spark, the igniter from the distributor was blown so I replaced the whole distributor, now the motor cranks but is seized up, is there a way I can unseize it without having to rebuild it? I've heard of pouring transmission fluid through the spark plugs holes and rock the motor back and forth to loosen the camshaft, will that work?
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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Nope you have to see why it's seizing something is not right like abearing etc.
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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
GABE D.
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Ok so I decided to just buy another motor, 350 4 bolt main, now with older cars a solved problem leads to another, I noticed that when I try to put the car in park it will still roll, sometimes even if I have it in the park position it will actually be in reverse, what can the problem to this be and how can I fix it?
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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Two things, one the linkage is bent or out of adjustment or ground wire from firewall to back of cylinder head was not put back on and melted shift cable form blower being on high. If that ground wire is not connected the body grounds through the shift cable to trans and melts the cable
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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 4:50 PM

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