Okay, well I just dropped in a 383 to replace my 305 and It won't turn over. This isn't an engine problem, it is a starter problem and electronics seem to be my down fall.

I have power to the starter from the battery. I also replaced the neutral safety switch thinking this was the problem. The starter is a new starter for a 350 (I new the old one was going and thought the larger displacement would need more torque). So I turn the key and nothing. I disconnected the wires and wired up the old starter to make sure I didn't happen to get a bad starter. Sitting on top of the wheel well the old starter didn't turn over either. I then tried bridging the two terminals on the old starter solenoid and I did get the starter to actuate. This is why I thought my neutral safety switch was bad. Also once out of dumb luck I did briefly get the old starter to actuate correctly via the ignition. I would like to assume that my problem isn't with the 350 solenoid being the car was formaly a 305 and now a 383. Any ideas anybody. The starter just won't actuate. I have power everywhere else.

All help is much appreciated,

Jim
1991 Pontiac Trans Am

 

So you have power going to the solenoid? You varified this w/ a volt meter or another means? Did you test the starter before you installed it on the motor? It worked then flawlessly correct?

 

Engine block grounded,with thick enough wire?

 

I know I have power going to the starter. Neither the old or new starter will turn over. The motor is properly grounded, but I will be going back to make sure all contacts are good. I did get a piggy backed chip since I swapped from a 305 to a 383, not sure what this may affect. I just don't know what else to check. I am just a miss because I can bridge the two solenoid terminals with a screw driver to actuate the starter (at least on the old starter, I didn't want to try this on the new starter).

 

Small wire/s connected properly on the solenoid? You should get 12V to the small "s" terminal when the key is in the start position.

 

Your probably not getting power to the solenoid thru it's wire. Your getting power from the battery to the big terminal, but non to the starter solenoid w/ the smaller purple wire.

 

Try to connect a wire at the solenoid terminal supposed to be fed when the key is turned,and put it`s other end on the positive battery terminal. If it turns over,the problem is in your wiring between the ignition switch and the solenoid.
Be careful,and be ready to disconnect the jumper wire hastily if there is a short somewhere.
Disconnect the original wire before connecting the jumper.

 

bad starter, go figure. Thanks for the help guys. Replaced the new starter with another new starter and vroom. Tonight will be her first time out hehe.