Ok, here we go again. Rebuilt 85 Z28 (305) TPI.

Car had been running fairly well with the exception of my occasional and elusive charging system gremlin.

Please help me because I obviously don't fully understand the entire concept of what I'm dealing with here.

Basically, my car has turned vampire and now just sucks the living life out of my battery while I'm driving it.

Just the other nite I decide to take a short drive around the neighborhood. And believe me when I say that it was, in fact, just that....a *short* drive.

Ok, now fast forward a couple hours. Help arrives. I jump the car and it turns over. It still sounds weak, but it cranked and I was able to drive it....for about, oh, another 45- 50 feet.


(wait, it gets even better)

Now, as I sit at the STOPLIGHT and try to crank it...the ignition won't unlock for me to steer. Good times....oh ya, Good Times!


Car ends up getting carried back via flatbed tow vehicle.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I throw the battery on the charger. This battery is *titanium*, barely a month old. I bought it along with my new alternator last month. I thought they would both go well with the freshly rebuilt distributor thats in the car.

I did, however, fix the old *key won't unlock my steering wheel problem* by gleefully replacing my ignition lock cylinder and while I was down there (for even further added enjoyment) I went ahead and replaced my ignition switch as well. Good times!

Ok, I hook everything back up. This is the moment of truth. I put the key in the ignition, turn....lights, radio, everything inside comes on....only now my engine remains as silent as the grave.

Geezus, I"m thinkin now *fusible links* or *starter* ...I mean, what else could it be? I thought I'd already checked/replaced any fusible links needing replacement.

Would a starter relay cause this problem? Could a defective/dying starter solenoid create the type of behavior I"ve described? Just exactly how does one go about adjusting the Park/Neutral safety switch?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

anybody there?

 

distributor?

 

Your car needs four things
1. Fuel
2. Spark
3. Compression
4. Timing

one of those is missing.

 

check your positive battery terminal.i just had this happen to me 2 days ago .my car did the exact same thing .check to see if it`s corroded or loose.if need be change the bolt for the terminal. sometimes they strip out and you won`t get a good clean hookup to your battery.

 

Found the problem!

Either I mistakenly set the incorrect *detente* positioning on the new Ignition Swith itself, or, it somehow slipped out of its proper positioning during the re-installation onto the steering column.

After re-examining the Ignition Switch (*2nd Time*) I re-installed (taking great care) and, then, she cranked right up.



I'll give her a drive tomorrow and see if i notice any further sign(s) of a possible drain on the charging system. All I've let her do so far is idle.

I do appreciate all of your help.

:yourock: