truck not starting, symtoms inside

[oldblue1968chevy]

turn key on, volt meter at 12-13, turn key again to start, th UMD, and you dont hear the starter not turning over, do i have a bad starter?

for some reason im thinking sabotage

edit, when i try to start it the temp. idiot light goes on for a minute

[extd56]

If it is a automatic I am thinking a bad neutral safety switch. Try turning the key to the start position as you move the shifter around but keep your foot on the brakes in case it decides to start in gear.

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

turn key on, volt meter at 12-13, turn key again to start, th UMD, and you dont hear the starter not turning over, do i have a bad starter? ..... when i try to start it the temp. idiot light goes on for a minute

If you hear a thump, sounds like the starter is trying to start. Is it a deep thump or is it "clicking?" You could have a bad solenoid.

If you suspect that it's not the starter then something may be keeping the engine from turning. I'd use a breaker bar or similar and see if you can turn the crank shaft. Be sure and disconnect the distributor if you do this.

The lights coming on while cranking I think is normal.

[oldblue1968chevy]

okay turns out its the starter/solenoid, should i replace with new rebuild from autozone for 45$ with lifetime warantee, or should i use the OLD NASTY GREASY starter from my 72 parts truck....now, i gota 77 350cid motor in my 68, and orig. motor in my 72, will the starters interchange?

[68gmsee]

If the starter you have is still good, I'd just replace the solenoid.

If it has the original starter and solenoid and want to keep it, you can have it rebuilt or you can do it yourself. In some of the old solenoids you could take the back off and flip the big copper contact washer that's inside over and keep using it. I've also sanded the contacts to make them work. All depends on how much you want to tinker with it...