Bizzare starting problem. - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

F-Body_Fetish · 07-08-2009, 06:58 PM

alright, so I just got her running (84 camaro) with the new 350 a couple days ago. been having some problems with the starter drive gear gap but finally fixed it by some drastic shimming to bring it closer to the small flywheel. anyways, I've had two problems happen. they go as follows.

Problem 1.) I'll put the key in, everything is fine, theres the buzzing, the lights go on, guages do their thing. whatever. as soon as I go to start the car theres a slight click and everything goes completely dead. no power anywhere. this is with a brand new battery. I diconnect the battery and connect it again, same problem. I'll do this several times and eventually it will magically work.

Problem 2.) Took her around the block today for the very first drive. I got halfway around and she died. just stalled. didn't hesitate or choke or anything its as if power to the ignition just left. this time; however, the power throughout the car remained. and whenever I went to try and start her up again theres the buzzing thats like "push the clutch in" or some sort of reminder and the brake light comes on. I had the clutch in so I don't know what she wants from me. she won't start, just buzzes. and sometimes when I take the key out instead of the buzzing stopping it sort of fades out. any ideas?

so far I'm thinking I have either somehow damaged the clutch switch for the ignition and even with it pressed in the car doesn't recognize it or with all the stuff i've done to my starter i've got some serious grounding issues. but if so then why do i have power untill I try to start her?

a note on the starter, its a summit brand protorque starter. I machined a special adaptor out of mild steel to adapt it to a spread bolt pattern and still engage the small T5 flywheel. its held to the adaptor by 2 allen bolts, the adaptor is held to the block by a grade 8 bolt. the other hole on the other side of the starter mounting block has an arp bolt through it, but the hole was stripped and i put a helicoil in there. it also has a bunch of shims and a washer to space it away from the block. but only on that one side. this way it tilts inwards towards the flywheel. i'm thinking between the helicoil, spacers, adaptor the ground may be compromised.

any help is much appreciated!

F-Body_Fetish · 07-09-2009, 01:22 AM

Ok. so it turns out the clutch switch slider thing came loose from the pedal and that fixed the buzzing problem. still stuck on the part where all the power just disappears.

50bmgshooter · 07-09-2009, 05:31 PM

sounds like a bad ground