Help! My 1969 CST Won't Start - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Swampdawg · 11-07-2008, 08:12 PM

My 1969 CST truck sits up a couple of months at a time. This time it won't start. I took the starter off and had both starter and solenoid checked out and they are ok. When I take the ground cable off the battery and touch it back to the post , I hear a clicking sound in the regulator. I have no power whatsoever... no lights... no fan motor on the heater. I cleaned both battery post and cables and the terminal junction block on the fender well beside the battery. The small hot wire off the battery goes to that junction block and then from there to the regular.

This problem is very hard to find! Any ideas. What should I try to replace first?
Best Regards,
Swampdawg

**john** · 11-07-2008, 08:31 PM

Heres a diagram to show all of the red wire connections. Sound like you are losing it before the ign sw. Hope this helps.

Bob 68327 · 11-07-2008, 08:32 PM

Check the ground connection at the engine for clean and tight . Bob

Swampdawg · 11-07-2008, 08:54 PM

Thanks! I will check connections tomorrow with this diagram. I did forget to say that some times the horn sounds off by itself and I have to unplug it.

Swampdawg · 11-07-2008, 09:10 PM

Thanks ! I will check them again. Maybe I need to sand them or wire brush them.

Longhorn Man · 11-07-2008, 09:53 PM

If you unplugged the horn to stop the noise, then right now, you have a very dead battery.
The click you heard would be the horn relay under the dash by the fuse box. It has a 3 wire plug going to it... one red, one green, and i think a black wire. It's a small silver box.
The relay, when activated, will put a large load on the battery and drain it...even though the horn is not actually shounding off.
Try giving the truck a jump start in the morning, and unplug that relay. If it clicks when you unplug it, then you know the horn button is still in the on position.
Your battery may well be junk now, long periods of time with little to no charge will ruin them for good, but you can try charging it up before spending the money to replace it.
Does your truck have an aftermarket (grat GT) wheel on it by chance?

chevytrucks79 · 11-07-2008, 10:11 PM

Make sure the junction block on the firewall where the wires from the engine compartment and cab connect. Sometimes mine gets loose and it doesnt let anything turn on.

Swampdawg · 11-09-2008, 08:57 PM

Thanks Longhorn Man! I found why it wouldn't crank. It was a rust gound cable which was connected to the motor. I still have the clicking sound even after I replaced the horn relay and the neutral safety switch. I went ahead and replaced any suspicious suspects! Note: The parts I took off were all original and were stamped "Made in USA". Remember those good old days? I just have a short in my horn contact under the steering wheel. I will have to find a puller to get the S. Wheel off. Thanks for your help. Any other ideas?

Swampdawg · 11-09-2008, 09:04 PM

Thanks ChevyTruck 79!
I found the problem with the cranking issue. I still have some kind of short. I hear the regulator clicking when I attach the ground cable on the battery. I changed out the horn relay and the neutral safety switch because they where cheap and easy to change out but I still have the short. It may be the contact inside the steering column under the steering wheel. I am talking the battery cable off when I park it. It does charge when running. Any ideas on where that short might be?
Thanks again!

Longhorn Man · 11-09-2008, 09:56 PM

is the turn signal lever loose by chance?

Swampdawg · 11-10-2008, 08:58 PM

Yes the turn signal is loose. You can move it around.
Thanks.

Swampdawg · 11-10-2008, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob 68327

Check the ground connection at the engine for clean and tight . Bob

Bob! You were right on about the Ground Cable at the Engine! Thanks a Bunch!
Swampdawg

Longhorn Man · 11-10-2008, 11:23 PM

the lever being loose is a common horn honker. Plug the horn relay in, and move the lever around. If you hear that relay clicking, you found your horn problem.
Bummer part is, you still need to pull the steering wheel tofix this.
Once you get it off, tighten the screw that holds the lever. If the plastic is cracked, you'll need to replace the wsitch, or the piece on the switch if you feel you can tackle a job like that... it's not real hard, but it sure isn't a simple piece either.

Bob 68327 · 11-10-2008, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swampdawg

Bob! You were right on about the Ground Cable at the Engine! Thanks a Bunch!
Swampdawg

No problem . Glad I could help you !! I spent four years at an auto electric shop your problem sounded familiar so again glad it worked out for you ! Bob

11-07-2008, 08:12 PM	#1
Swampdawg Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Covington, GA Posts: 9	Help! My 1969 CST Won't Start My 1969 CST truck sits up a couple of months at a time. This time it won't start. I took the starter off and had both starter and solenoid checked out and they are ok. When I take the ground cable off the battery and touch it back to the post , I hear a clicking sound in the regulator. I have no power whatsoever... no lights... no fan motor on the heater. I cleaned both battery post and cables and the terminal junction block on the fender well beside the battery. The small hot wire off the battery goes to that junction block and then from there to the regular. This problem is very hard to find! Any ideas. What should I try to replace first? Best Regards, Swampdawg

11-07-2008, 08:31 PM	#2
john member #16 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Yuba City Ca. Posts: 3,618	Re: Help! My 1969 CST Won't Start Heres a diagram to show all of the red wire connections. Sound like you are losing it before the ign sw. Hope this helps. Attached Images __________________ john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/ Last edited by john; 11-07-2008 at 08:33 PM.

11-07-2008, 08:32 PM	#3
Bob 68327 72 Chevelle Club Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Newton , Iowa Posts: 2,052	Re: Help! My 1969 CST Won't Start Check the ground connection at the engine for clean and tight . Bob __________________ I Have The Right To Remain Silent,But Lack The Ability 1972 Chevelle ... Mine 2006 Trailblazer... Hers 2002 Buick century ... Kids 2002 K1500 Z-71 EXT CAB ... Daily Driver 2005 Rockwood Roo ... For Camping 1974 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 84'' stroker

11-07-2008, 08:54 PM	#4
Swampdawg Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Covington, GA Posts: 9	Re: Help! My 1969 CST Won't Start Thanks! I will check connections tomorrow with this diagram. I did forget to say that some times the horn sounds off by itself and I have to unplug it.

11-07-2008, 09:10 PM	#5
Swampdawg Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Covington, GA Posts: 9	Re: Help! My 1969 CST Won't Start Thanks ! I will check them again. Maybe I need to sand them or wire brush them.

11-07-2008, 09:53 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Help! My 1969 CST Won't Start If you unplugged the horn to stop the noise, then right now, you have a very dead battery. The click you heard would be the horn relay under the dash by the fuse box. It has a 3 wire plug going to it... one red, one green, and i think a black wire. It's a small silver box. The relay, when activated, will put a large load on the battery and drain it...even though the horn is not actually shounding off. Try giving the truck a jump start in the morning, and unplug that relay. If it clicks when you unplug it, then you know the horn button is still in the on position. Your battery may well be junk now, long periods of time with little to no charge will ruin them for good, but you can try charging it up before spending the money to replace it. Does your truck have an aftermarket (grat GT) wheel on it by chance?

11-07-2008, 10:11 PM	#7
chevytrucks79 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 68	Re: Help! My 1969 CST Won't Start Make sure the junction block on the firewall where the wires from the engine compartment and cab connect. Sometimes mine gets loose and it doesnt let anything turn on.

11-09-2008, 08:57 PM	#8
Swampdawg Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Covington, GA Posts: 9	Re: Help! My 1969 CST Won't Start Thanks Longhorn Man! I found why it wouldn't crank. It was a rust gound cable which was connected to the motor. I still have the clicking sound even after I replaced the horn relay and the neutral safety switch. I went ahead and replaced any suspicious suspects! Note: The parts I took off were all original and were stamped "Made in USA". Remember those good old days? I just have a short in my horn contact under the steering wheel. I will have to find a puller to get the S. Wheel off. Thanks for your help. Any other ideas?

11-09-2008, 09:04 PM	#9
Swampdawg Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Covington, GA Posts: 9	Re: Help! My 1969 CST Won't Start Thanks ChevyTruck 79! I found the problem with the cranking issue. I still have some kind of short. I hear the regulator clicking when I attach the ground cable on the battery. I changed out the horn relay and the neutral safety switch because they where cheap and easy to change out but I still have the short. It may be the contact inside the steering column under the steering wheel. I am talking the battery cable off when I park it. It does charge when running. Any ideas on where that short might be? Thanks again!

11-09-2008, 09:56 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Help! My 1969 CST Won't Start is the turn signal lever loose by chance?

11-10-2008, 08:58 PM	#11
Swampdawg Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Covington, GA Posts: 9	Re: Help! My 1969 CST Won't Start Yes the turn signal is loose. You can move it around. Thanks.

11-10-2008, 11:23 PM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Help! My 1969 CST Won't Start the lever being loose is a common horn honker. Plug the horn relay in, and move the lever around. If you hear that relay clicking, you found your horn problem. Bummer part is, you still need to pull the steering wheel tofix this. Once you get it off, tighten the screw that holds the lever. If the plastic is cracked, you'll need to replace the wsitch, or the piece on the switch if you feel you can tackle a job like that... it's not real hard, but it sure isn't a simple piece either.

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