First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List
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I had a Blazer that would sometimes not start, no click, nothing.  If I put a 
screwdriver between the big terminal on the back of the starter and the 
positive little terminal for the soleniod on the starter it would turn right 
over.  You might try that just to verify that the starter will crank (assuming 
you have good grounds and good wire from the battery to the big starter 
terminal. I have had to resort to doing that and hot wiring the coil on my 69 
FB because the column key gizmo won't turn. 



----- Original Message ----
From: Andy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: First Generation Firebird-L <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, July 27, 2008 9:00:23 AM
Subject: Re: [FGF] 68 won't start

First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List
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Hi David,

If you only have a continuity tester, you will have to modify Chris' 
instructions or buy a test light or voltmeter (I recommend a voltmeter). 
A continuity tester is used to check a segment of a circuit (usually a 
wire) to detect any opens. You can use it to troubleshoot this problem, 
but it won't be as easy as checking for voltage.

Do any other circuits in the car work, like the clock or horn? If you 
can find no working circuits at all, there are a few quick and 
fundamental things to check. First, you want the battery posts and cable 
terminals to be free of corrosion. Next, check that there is a smaller 
gauge wire running from the ground terminal at the battery to the 
passenger-side fender. You can remove the wire at the fender and test it 
for end-to-end continuity. If it's good, reattach it and make sure the 
connection is snug.

Next, check for a similar wire running from the positive terminal at the 
battery to a small terminal block mounted on the radiator core support 
just under the passenger-side fender. In this case you want to be 
careful to avoid accidentally shorting things out, so first remove the 
cable from the positive battery terminal, then remove the wire from the 
terminal block and check it for end-to-end continuity. If it's good, 
reconnect the wire first to the terminal block, then to the battery 
terminal.

Let us know the results of your tests. If all of those things check out, 
you will better off investing in an inexpensive voltmeter to continue 
troubleshooting.

Andy

David Lasseter wrote:

>First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List
>.........................................................................
>Hello, Andy,
><snip>
>
>I have a continuity tester and am getting started troubleshooting the system 
>as Chris instructed me.  When you say measure the voltage across the cable 
>clamps and not just the posts, would I clip the tester to one cable and check 
>the other, or would I clip the tester to the frame or engine block?  Thanks 
>for your help.  Obviously this is something new for me and I'm learning how to 
>work this problem.
>
>David
>  
>

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