OK get this. Went to lunch in the buick this afternoon. Came back after lunch to start the car - nothing. I have power, and I can hear the soleniod click, but the starter does not turn over. I have not been having any electrical problems per-se. The Solenoid is new (about 2 months old) which I replaced when *I* cracked the housing checking some wires. I also recently replaced the backup lamp switch which was going bad. Is there a good way to test the starter or get it going? I can call a tow truck, which I would prefer not to do, but it feels like this is something simple. Any help appreciated. Thanks!
starter trouble #1 turn on the head lites have someone watch to ses if they go out /dim /or stay the same if they stay the same your starter is not engaging if they dim battery is low get a jump but if they go out its a bad battery connection //clear terminals ok by pete
Well, it's usually a bad connection somewhere, bad battery, or bad starter/solenoid. You can try this. Turn the ignition to the run position. Then jack up the car. Short the main battery connection on the solenoid, to the "S" terminal on the solenoid. You can use a screwdriver. That will usually operate the starter, and the car will start. Could also be a bad neutral safety switch. Check the wires at the base of the column.
Backup lamp switch is incorporated in the neutral safety switch. That is most likely your problem. It's out of adjustment. Loosen the mounting bolts, and adjust it until the car starts.
Thanks all. I knew it was something simple, and I was right. I assumed the neutral safety switch as well, which you suggested Larry, and we were close. Turns out the purple wire that goes from ignition switch to the neutral safety switch had a bad connection at the ignition terminal. I made a jumper to bypass the safety switch and when that didn't work, I pulled the ignition switch. Tested the continity and it was dead. I was actually able to tighten the crimp and it fired right up. Fixed it for good tonight when I got home. Thanks again!
