Help with Starting 1979 Chevy - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Caymandave · 08-13-2011, 09:32 AM

Hi Guys,
Just had a new transmission/starter/battery installed. Just had the truck all tuned up new plug wires/plugs/ rotor/cap/electronic module installed.
Drive it 20 miles wont start. I hear a click butno starter turning. It sets a few minutes and then starts. Is there a module in the shifter equipment that prevents the truck from starting? I looked in Classic Parts and LMC but they only have stuff for a 350 trans this is a 700 trans?

In addition does any one know where I can get an original steering wheel for this truck? I don't want an after market unit.

Thanks
Dave

Shyguy · 08-13-2011, 09:57 AM

Will need a little more information like engine size and if you have headers. I kind of sounds like heat soak of the starter or maybe there is a bad connection in the battery cables.

68gmsee · 08-13-2011, 10:07 AM

If it clicks when you try to start it, it could be the starter solenoid or starter -new defective. I've had that before.

Have someone try to start it while you listen or feel for the "click" on the solenoid. A trick I use to detect where a noise is coming from is to use a 2-3 foot section of garden hose and place one end where I suspect the noise is coming from and the other to my ear. Almost like a stethoscope.

Caymandave · 08-13-2011, 10:10 AM

Danny thanks for the reply. I am in the wrong forum but you may know the answers.

I checked the battery connection it is tight.

It is a 454 no headers. I thought the same thing but this is the first time it has happened and it is not hot in Maine. Engine temp seemed normal. Can I get a shroud to stop this from happening if that is the problem?
Dave

Caymandave · 08-13-2011, 10:12 AM

Has all new starter and selinod hard to believe it is that that is causing the problem. After I got it started drove about the same distance home, and started it three times in a row???

kevmic28 · 08-13-2011, 10:31 AM

Heat soak has nothing to do with the outside air temp. Its about the heat of the engine and exhaust heating up the starter. Sometimes you just get a bad starter out of the box. Talk to the shop that did the work for you. Take it back to them and have them check the starter.

Caymandave · 08-13-2011, 10:35 AM

Thanks I am going to see if it is a persistant problem. As I understood it this was a new and very expensive starter.

Daves70 · 08-14-2011, 12:07 PM

Another thing to check is the battery terminals.I recently had the same problem with my truck, took the terminals off and they looked ok but cleaned them anyway.Put it back together and it's been good ever since.Just something cheap and easy too try.

Caymandave · 08-14-2011, 01:10 PM

The terminals are all new and when they rebuilt the transmission after the starter was replace they were checked again. But Thanks

motornut · 08-15-2011, 09:09 AM

i'd check voltage when starting and running

Caymandave · 08-15-2011, 09:29 AM

Where do you want me to check? What arre we looking for?
Dave

motornut · 08-15-2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motornut

i'd check voltage when starting and running

to make sure the starter isn't drawing to much
with engine warm disconnect the hei power wire or ground the coil.....shouldn't drop below 9 volts
and the alt is charging ok...........14-15 volts steady

Caymandave · 08-15-2011, 09:35 AM

I am guessing but you want a voltage reading at the battery when I try to start and then when it is running?

08-13-2011, 09:32 AM	#1
Caymandave Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Miramar Beach Florida Posts: 30	Help with Starting 1979 Chevy Hi Guys, Just had a new transmission/starter/battery installed. Just had the truck all tuned up new plug wires/plugs/ rotor/cap/electronic module installed. Drive it 20 miles wont start. I hear a click butno starter turning. It sets a few minutes and then starts. Is there a module in the shifter equipment that prevents the truck from starting? I looked in Classic Parts and LMC but they only have stuff for a 350 trans this is a 700 trans? In addition does any one know where I can get an original steering wheel for this truck? I don't want an after market unit. Thanks Dave

08-13-2011, 09:57 AM	#2
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: Help with Starting 1979 Chevy Will need a little more information like engine size and if you have headers. I kind of sounds like heat soak of the starter or maybe there is a bad connection in the battery cables. __________________ '67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E.

08-13-2011, 10:07 AM	#3
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Help with Starting 1979 Chevy If it clicks when you try to start it, it could be the starter solenoid or starter -new defective. I've had that before. Have someone try to start it while you listen or feel for the "click" on the solenoid. A trick I use to detect where a noise is coming from is to use a 2-3 foot section of garden hose and place one end where I suspect the noise is coming from and the other to my ear. Almost like a stethoscope.

08-13-2011, 10:10 AM	#4
Caymandave Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Miramar Beach Florida Posts: 30	Re: Help with Starting 1979 Chevy Danny thanks for the reply. I am in the wrong forum but you may know the answers. I checked the battery connection it is tight. It is a 454 no headers. I thought the same thing but this is the first time it has happened and it is not hot in Maine. Engine temp seemed normal. Can I get a shroud to stop this from happening if that is the problem? Dave

08-13-2011, 10:12 AM	#5
Caymandave Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Miramar Beach Florida Posts: 30	Re: Help with Starting 1979 Chevy Has all new starter and selinod hard to believe it is that that is causing the problem. After I got it started drove about the same distance home, and started it three times in a row???

08-13-2011, 10:31 AM	#6
kevmic28 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Arlington Texas Posts: 602	Re: Help with Starting 1979 Chevy Heat soak has nothing to do with the outside air temp. Its about the heat of the engine and exhaust heating up the starter. Sometimes you just get a bad starter out of the box. Talk to the shop that did the work for you. Take it back to them and have them check the starter. __________________ 1970 GMC truck 1988 Harley 1200 Sportster

08-13-2011, 10:35 AM	#7
Caymandave Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Miramar Beach Florida Posts: 30	Re: Help with Starting 1979 Chevy Thanks I am going to see if it is a persistant problem. As I understood it this was a new and very expensive starter.

08-14-2011, 12:07 PM	#8
Daves70 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mt Brydges Ontario Posts: 181	Re: Help with Starting 1979 Chevy Another thing to check is the battery terminals.I recently had the same problem with my truck, took the terminals off and they looked ok but cleaned them anyway.Put it back together and it's been good ever since.Just something cheap and easy too try.

08-14-2011, 01:10 PM	#9
Caymandave Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Miramar Beach Florida Posts: 30	Re: Help with Starting 1979 Chevy The terminals are all new and when they rebuilt the transmission after the starter was replace they were checked again. But Thanks

08-15-2011, 09:09 AM	#10
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Help with Starting 1979 Chevy i'd check voltage when starting and running __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

08-15-2011, 09:29 AM	#11
Caymandave Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Miramar Beach Florida Posts: 30	Re: Help with Starting 1979 Chevy Where do you want me to check? What arre we looking for? Dave

08-15-2011, 09:35 AM	#13
Caymandave Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Miramar Beach Florida Posts: 30	Re: Help with Starting 1979 Chevy I am guessing but you want a voltage reading at the battery when I try to start and then when it is running?



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.