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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: Gusgus74 on January 26, 2011, 09:05:30 pm

Title: No start problem
Post by: Gusgus74 on January 26, 2011, 09:05:30 pm

My 383 would not start the other day after a short trip. It's been very cold around here so I thought I  might have flooded the engine in trying to start it. It would crank and crank but not fire at all not even a puff. So I checked for spark and found none. I finally figured out that the coil was not getting any voltage when the key was in the start (cranking) position but it had a solid 12 volts in the run position. I ran a jumper wire from the battery +  post to the coil terminal and it fired right up instantly. It's been starting fine since then without the jumper wire. Does this indicate a starter going bad or is it the solenoid?

Title: Re: No start problem
Post by: beastie_3 on January 26, 2011, 10:06:25 pm

ummm sounds like the wire going to your coil.

You said the engine always cranked, so that would not be your starter. or solenoid...

Title: Re: No start problem
Post by: Irish_Alley on January 27, 2011, 09:43:10 am

I'm thinking ignition switch

Title: Re: No start problem
Post by: VileZambonie on January 27, 2011, 06:48:54 pm

What wiring harness? Is it factory? What year?

Title: Re: No start problem
Post by: Gusgus74 on January 27, 2011, 07:03:13 pm

It's a 74 350 long bed the harness is original as far as I know. What has me stumped is that  I was able to start it when I ran a wire from the battery pos to the coil terminal. And it seems to working fine now even without my jumper wire connected.

Title: Re: No start problem
Post by: VileZambonie on January 28, 2011, 04:44:52 pm

The 74 had a points ignition system so if no one updated your harness you should make sure it's not using a resistance wire. Run a new circuit and supply the coil with the full 12 volts.