So we just finished putting my engine into the car, and we were able to turn the key and start the car for acouple cranks. Than all the sudden we turn the key and light go on, head lights go up, windows can go down, But no ignition or any sort of cranking. So We tilted the steering wheel down, and she cranks again. Now today I tried to start her again, and nothing. Tried tilting the column, back and forth, and still nothing.

My first thought was it was probably a bad ignition cylinder, but before i pull the steering wheel apart, I just wanted some 2nd opinions. Now the Ignition cylinder has always been very loose in the car, like you can move it back and forth almost.

Some information about the car, its a carbed 86 trans am. With all EFI components removed.

 

Just an update, Replaced the ignition cylinder in the car, still same result. Turn the key lights turn on windows go down. But wont turn over.

 

HEI distributor? Check your coil and control module.

 

It should still crank though even if the distributor isnt hooked up correctly. But I think the distributor is hooked up correctly, cause we got the car to run. Its no even cranking now.

 

Oh, I must have missed that somewhere, I didn't realize it wasn't cranking.

There's a fuseable link (I believe) in the hot wire that runs to the starter, you could trace that and make sure it's still intact.

 

Did you paint everything ?? I wonder if the block and starter are both painted causing a lack of a good ground between the 2.

Get a buddy & sit him in the car,.... you probe for battery voltage at the solenoid ( Purple wire ) when your buddy turns the key. ( BE SAFE and puts stands under the car first if you can't reach from above ! ) If you've got battery voltage- and no crank - than the problem is starter or ground.

No Battery voltage ?? Then follow the wiring from the solenoid - back to find out where the circuit is broken.

 

I would check your fuses and see if you didn't blow an ignition fuse. If the cylinder was loose then its possible that it could have worked itself loose and then arc when they would tried to become in contact with each other. Check your fuses.