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Send PMWarner Robins, GA - USA
Joined: 2/16/2003
Posts: 245
Vette(s): 1978 Base model, White w/red int. L-48, 4-speed, wide ratio. Has 82 CE wheels. New HEI & LT1 Headers now. UPDATE, NEW Tremic 5-SPEED installed.
2007 C6 Yellow Conv. Loaded. UPDATE-Sold Sept. 2021
2016 C7 Yellow Coupe, Z-51, lots of other options.
Hey guys,
chucks7d8 2008-09-10 07:23:09
My '78 died at my son's house yesterday. After removing starter and solunoid and having it tested, it's good. I've checked and have 12V at the solunoid, but when the key is turned to start, the generator, the battery, and the brake lights go out or dim, and the volt meter drops to below 8V, and the solunoid does not click in. I used a volt meter to check the voltage from the battery to the "S" post, and I get about a 2V drop to around 10V when the key is turned to start. All of the lights, horn, guages, electric windows, etc. work fine. Other changes that have been made/come about lately are a new HEI distributor. I have noticed a couple of times since the new distributor that I've, for a split second or so, lost power going down the road. The tach will drop to zeros for a second, the car will jump as it restarts. This happened 2 or 3 times now, but it only lasts for a split second. I don't know if that could or would be related, but it is a problem I will need answers to, also.
Any help or ideas would be appreciated. I've searched on this site for similar problems and found no specific answers that are the same as my situation.
Thanks guys. I know you'll come through.
Chuckster
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Lifetime Member
Send PMWarner Robins, GA - USA
Joined: 2/16/2003
Posts: 245
Vette(s): 1978 Base model, White w/red int. L-48, 4-speed, wide ratio. Has 82 CE wheels. New HEI & LT1 Headers now. UPDATE, NEW Tremic 5-SPEED installed.
2007 C6 Yellow Conv. Loaded. UPDATE-Sold Sept. 2021
2016 C7 Yellow Coupe, Z-51, lots of other options.
Also:
Other changes that have been made/come about lately are a new HEI distributor. I have noticed a couple of times since the new distributor that I've, for a split second or so, lost power going down the road. The tach will drop to zeros for a second, the car will jump as it restarts. This happened 2 or 3 times now, but it only lasts for a split second. I don't know if that could or would be related, but it is a problem I will need answers to, also.
Thanks Ya'll
Other changes that have been made/come about lately are a new HEI distributor. I have noticed a couple of times since the new distributor that I've, for a split second or so, lost power going down the road. The tach will drop to zeros for a second, the car will jump as it restarts. This happened 2 or 3 times now, but it only lasts for a split second. I don't know if that could or would be related, but it is a problem I will need answers to, also.
Thanks Ya'll
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Lifetime Member
Send PMSHELBYVILLE, TN - USA
Joined: 7/5/2002
Posts: 3944
Vette(s): 1976 L48 auto
1978 L82 4speed
1994 LT1 6speed
1978 L82 4speed
1994 LT1 6speed
Hey Chuck, this might sound a little elementry, but... have you happened to have tried another battery?... reason i say this is, when you tested the voltage at the solenoid and it dropped to 8v without the starter or solenoid engaging, that to me sounds like a "voltage" problem.... either battery or cable problem...possibly a grounding problem if it isnt the battery... just a thought... at least for the starter problem.
stingrayjim 2008-09-07 13:44:04
average battery "voltage" when under load(turning the starter) should be around 10-11v(about a 150 amp load) try checking the voltage at the battery. After re-reading your post, saying it goes to 8 volts, it does sound more and more like a battery issue....
StingrayJim 
NCM Lifetime Member #1936
Stingray's '76���������������������������� StingrayJr's '78���������������������������Lil Red '94 
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Lifetime Member
Send PMWarner Robins, GA - USA
Joined: 2/16/2003
Posts: 245
Vette(s): 1978 Base model, White w/red int. L-48, 4-speed, wide ratio. Has 82 CE wheels. New HEI & LT1 Headers now. UPDATE, NEW Tremic 5-SPEED installed.
2007 C6 Yellow Conv. Loaded. UPDATE-Sold Sept. 2021
2016 C7 Yellow Coupe, Z-51, lots of other options.
Hey Jim: Yep I thought about that so I put the charger on it a while ago, there is no place to get the batt. checked around here today, I'll do that first thing in the morning.
Hows everything with you?
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Jim makes a good point. Also, check the big cable going to the starter center lug. Sometimes it will be corroded inside the casing which will cause a drain from the battery to the starter.
Good luck!
Good luck!
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Lifetime Member
Send PMSHELBYVILLE, TN - USA
Joined: 7/5/2002
Posts: 3944
Vette(s): 1976 L48 auto
1978 L82 4speed
1994 LT1 6speed
1978 L82 4speed
1994 LT1 6speed
everything seems to be going ok here.. think i have to chase down a grounding issue with dad's 76 vette, got a brake light not working on one side...Master Ken-obee thought it might be a light bulb issue in the dash itself... otherwise, things going ok, dad getting around real good, he actually took out the 94 vette (six speed) saturday... he didnt have much trouble...
hope you get her going Chuck... talk with you later...
StingrayJim
NCM Lifetime Member #1936
Stingray's '76���������������������������� StingrayJr's '78���������������������������Lil Red '94
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Lifetime Member
Send PMWarner Robins, GA - USA
Joined: 2/16/2003
Posts: 245
Vette(s): 1978 Base model, White w/red int. L-48, 4-speed, wide ratio. Has 82 CE wheels. New HEI & LT1 Headers now. UPDATE, NEW Tremic 5-SPEED installed.
2007 C6 Yellow Conv. Loaded. UPDATE-Sold Sept. 2021
2016 C7 Yellow Coupe, Z-51, lots of other options.
Jimmy, glad to here Stingray is doing good. I know he enjoyed the drive in the 94. 
I'll get the battery checked tomorrow. I don't drive this baby enough
to remember for sure but I think that the Voltmeter always goes down to 8 or less volts when I turn the key to start. Thanks for the ideas man.
to remember for sure but I think that the Voltmeter always goes down to 8 or less volts when I turn the key to start. Thanks for the ideas man. DNV: I'll check the big cable going to the starter center lug too. I had all the wires to the starter and the starter off a month ago to put a set of LT1 S/S headers on, I try to check all things like that when I put things back together, but at my age, sometimes I miss doing the obvious.
Thanks for reminding me.
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I have seen this several times before, including it happening to mine. There are different reasons, but it's usually a ground between the engine and the frame/battery. There is a small battery cable that goes around the right motor mount from the engine to the frame. When the connection get bad, this happens. Everything else works because they are grounded to the frame, not through the engine.
It is often temp sensitive, and moisture sensitive. Often you can grab this short cable and give it a twist. In that case you can just tighten it up. Best to take it loose and clean the surfaces, then retighten.
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Speaking of the obvious thing, Ken, I think you might have also solved a problem for Mike Ray's vette. We'll check it when we check the starter next.
Thanks,
Thanks,
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Lifetime Member
Send PMWarner Robins, GA - USA
Joined: 2/16/2003
Posts: 245
Vette(s): 1978 Base model, White w/red int. L-48, 4-speed, wide ratio. Has 82 CE wheels. New HEI & LT1 Headers now. UPDATE, NEW Tremic 5-SPEED installed.
2007 C6 Yellow Conv. Loaded. UPDATE-Sold Sept. 2021
2016 C7 Yellow Coupe, Z-51, lots of other options.
Hey guys,
After cleaning and checking the ground wires and connections, I still have no action of the starter when I turn the key to start. What about the neutral safety switch, and where the heck is it on a 4 sp car? Up above the clutch pedal, under the dash, I felt a little rod that is loose. I thought that might be it, but I can't see anything unless I move ac ducts.
After cleaning and checking the ground wires and connections, I still have no action of the starter when I turn the key to start. What about the neutral safety switch, and where the heck is it on a 4 sp car? Up above the clutch pedal, under the dash, I felt a little rod that is loose. I thought that might be it, but I can't see anything unless I move ac ducts.
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