Starting problem

[Boyan B.]

I was helping a friend the other day with his 66 327 powerglide Corvette. He had a problem with his neutral safety switch. The car would start intermittently and would not start in neutral. The back up lights would also act funny. We changed the neutral safety switch, I confirmed it was making contact in the gears it needed, but the car wouldnt turn over once you turned the key.

I checked for power at the S terminal on the solenoid and saw that we had power. Still didnt turn over when the key was turned, but power was there. I assumed the solenoid was bad, but before I did anything else, I jumped the S terminal with the large battery terminal and the car turned over no problem. After that, the car started via the key about 95% of the time.

I checked the voltage at the S terminal and it's only about 7 volts when the key is turned to the start position. I think it needs more? The neutral safety switch is doing what it's supposed to do now and back up lights are perfect. Any ideas on why the S terminal power is so low? Or is it OK and possibly bad solenoid?

Thanks,
Boyan.

[Jim T.]

Re: Starting problem

One thing you can do to a solenoid that only costs your time is to turn the battery cable connection bolt 180 to use new contact area. It does not require revoval of the starter or solenoid. Just remove the battery cable, loosen the nut retaining the bolt to the solenoid and turn it 180. If this has not been done before this will provide use of the unused half of the contact area.

[William C.]

Re: Starting problem

Check the connection under the brake master cyl at the firewall, corrosion there is always possible.