1970 GS455 won't start (won't turn over at all)

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by 1970GSXclone, Aug 10, 2019.

  1. 1970GSXclone

    1970GSXclone Member

    Have never had an issue with my GS until yesterday. Ran out of gas....oops. Put gas in, started with starter fluid 3 times. It started right up, but never long enough to get gas to carb. On the 4th key turn there was nothing. I have since replaced the starter, which it did not have the correct starter for the 455 anyway, and now it does! Still nothing. Pulled the battery and had it tested, only tested at 300CCA. Took the battery from my 442, which is a 775CCA. Still nothing!!

    The lights do work, the car buzzes with key in and door on, the interior lights work. So I know there is power.

    But when I turn the key.....absolutely nothing. The gauges react like normal, but no turn over. I am mechanically challenged and don't know what else to do.

    Could it be a fuse? If it was a starter relay fuse, where would it be in the panel? If anyone has any ideas I'd sure appreciate it.

    Thank you,
    Unmechanical Trevor
     
  2. OHC JOE

    OHC JOE Mullet Mafia since 2020

    Maybe the two wires on starter solenoid are crossed
     
  3. 1970GSXclone

    1970GSXclone Member

    I marked them before I took them off with tape and put them back in the correct place....But that is unmechanical me talking. I tried to be careful and do correctly but definitely could have failed. Thanks for the note!
     
  4. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    The terminal marked "S" should have the purple wire attached to it. I'd double check that. IIRC, the S terminal is inboard
     
  5. JoeBlog

    JoeBlog Platinum Level Contributor

    If it’s not the placement of the wires, perhaps a look into the fusible link is in order.
     
  6. taf44667

    taf44667 69 Vert 4-Speed

    Based on your info maybe solenoid. I would think if fuseable link your lights would not work. If it did it before you replaced starter and you replaced wires correctly looking at engine front purple to left and yellow to right.
     
  7. TrunkMonkey

    TrunkMonkey Well-Known Member

    Check the ground. Yeah, I know it seems like a BS issue, but if one understands electron/current flow it becomes obvious.

    A high resistance issue will exhibit such a behavior.

    Another thing is a "dead/bad" cell in a battery. It may shoe specific gravity is correct, that it holds and shows a correct charge, but fails amperage pull/load tests.

    Since you used another (and likely a good known battery), than puts you back to ground issues.

    Another thing may be to put direct 12v power and ground to the starter and see of it spins.
    Then you start working on elimination of other starter relevant circuit.
     
  8. 1970GSXclone

    1970GSXclone Member

    Thank you for all the comments! It has surpassed my little (to none really) mechanical experience. I did take the starter off, recheck all the wires and clean the rings. Also had the starter tested, just to verify the starter wasn't bad. I checked the battery cable at the starter and it was showing 12 volts. Put on the other wire/screw and it was 12 volts when key turned. I don't know what else to do in my little knowledge and not sure how to check for a grounding issue. It will go to a mechanic and I hope it is easy for them.

    On a good note, first time I ever worked on a car and I can now put a starter in a vehicle (like this one, nothing actually complicated) in about 5 minutes. So at least I learned something.
     
    docgsx likes this.
  9. BrunoD

    BrunoD Looking for Fast Eddie

    If you have regular wiring,remember that the 2 wires that go to the starter the thin one goes next to the block,the thicker wire goes toward the fender,By the way,you could have lights,as the are on a different line.Bruno.
     
  10. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Here you go,

    StarterDiagnosticR.jpg
     
  11. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    Did you disconnect the battery BEFORE you replaced the starter?
    If not, that's the easiest way to melt the fusible links:eek:
     
  12. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    What about the main ignition switch on top of the steering column below the dash?
     
    matt68gs400 likes this.
  13. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Sure, could be, but a few minutes with a meter, or test light, and the trouble chart I posted will narrow down the cause so you don't waste time and/or money.
     
    1973gs, TrunkMonkey and PGSS like this.
  14. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    First thing I would check is to make sure we have 12 volts at the purple wire when the key is in the tart position. At that point, you'll know what direction to go in
     
  15. TexasT

    TexasT Texas, where are you from

    While you had the starter off did you hit it with some jumper cables? Could be a bad starter. Bad solenoid, bad switch. This is where a meter and it's use is real productive.
     
  16. matt68gs400

    matt68gs400 Well-Known Member

    That’s what I was thinking.
     
    PGSS likes this.

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