I turn the key, and I get power to all my electric items. (Lights, Cd player, Dash, windows, etc.)

The engine doesn't move at all.

I started the car and drove it around the block, parked and turned it off. Then I did it again for no reason, just bored. Now it won't turn over at all. My battery/Alt are fine, my buddy said it was my starter. Does it sound like that would be the problem? I noticed the 2nd time I started up the car, it felt weird when I turned the key. Like I broke something.

I'm gonna be in deep water if I don't find out what is going on. I noticed on my MSD GM Blaster, the wire that sits on top of it is all wet and I was wondering if my wires got wet somehow. It was raining but nothing out of the ordinary.

BTW: 305tpi/700r4 car.

 

when you try to start it does it make a clicking sound like its trying to start or is there nothing at all when you turn the key? do you have a stock shifter or after market, i ask because i used to have an issue with my b&m shifter sometimes where it woudnt do anything when i turned the key but if i played with the shifter it would start up. could also be the neutral safety switch.

 

My 85 Z28 did something similar once only days after I bought it.

It turns out one of the battery posts had broken and was just sitting against the battery with minimal contact and the starter couldn't get enough amps to crank the engine.

When you turned the key, all electrical stuff would come on and the selenoids would click, but the engine wouldn't turn.

Although your situation sounds like something a bit more serious...

 

No clicking whats so ever. There is a weird hum noise, but that is normal when I start the car. A guy said it was my solenoid. (Where is it in the car? I have an extra and I want to put it in.)

I checked all my wires and they seem fine.

 

Did you check voltage at the starter while turning the key?

May be a VATS issue.

 

When I turn the key I get all my needles to move like battery and everything. I need to find out quick because I have a job interview tomorrow.

 

An old trick. Tap on the starter and see if you get it to start. May work, may not.

 

the solenoid is part of the starter but id try caddymans trick first it just may be jammed

 

Can you tell/show me where it is? I'm not once I know what your talking about I can fix it, but I'm still new to cars.

pics would be great!

 

its connected to the starter, the starter is on the passenger side under the car just pst the front tire a little bit, sorry im at work cant take pics right now id just take it off and have it tested most local automotive parts stores will check it for free

 

I can't find this thing. Is it even possible that it fell off the car? Last time I turned the car on (and it ran) I felt a weird noise like something moved.

 

The starter is under the car on the passenger side and is attached to the back passenger side of the engine. It is an electric motor that turn the engine over. If you don't hear any clicking when trying to start the car, have an assistant help you, and measure the voltage at the wires that go into the starter solenoid, round thing that is attached to the starter. If you have voltage there, than that rules out the VATS and your problem is in the starter or the solenoid. If you hear no clicking, it is probably the solenoid. The starter is not hard to replace by yourself, it's just that it might be a little bit tricky to get it to come out because of how the exhaust pipes run. It might be easier if you have a single cat car, I don't know.

 

the car is a single cat car.

Speaking of passenger side under car, I recently drove very hard over a curb on that side, maybe I damaged it.

 

It is possible that the solenoid may have gotten cracked and some moisture may have gotten in there. However, it is quite well hidden and is near the front axle, so I think it is well protected. Chances are that you need a new starter.

 

Ok well I have the tools to remove it.

I'm guessing I have to jack the car up for this? When I jack it up where will it be (under a flap or something?) I can't see it at all from lying down on the street.

Pics would be appreciated.

 

I don't have a digital camera to take pictures, but I recommend you try to find the service and repair manual for it at auto zone or something like that. It would be good to have an assistant to help you with this and also a volt meter.
Jack the car up, and secure it on jack stands. The starter is on the back passenger side of the engine block. The passenger side exhaust pipe that comes out of the manifold passes underneath it as it comes down under the engine. The starter is a bulky electric motor (at least the stock one is) with a round cylinder attached to it. It would be about a foot long and a few inches wide. You may be able to see it if you looked under the car sort of from behind the right front wheel. The cylinder thing that is attached to it is the solenoid. While an assistant is trying to start the car, take the volt meter, and measure the voltage across the wires that go into the solenoid. If you get 12 volts or more over there, you are getting voltage to it, but the solenoid is not transferring electricity to the starter motor.
Before attempting to remove the starter, disconnect the negative battery terminal.
Disconnect the wires that go into the starter. One of them I think comes from the alternator, the other one comes from the battery. I think the starter is held by 3 bolts to the engine block (not exactly sure, has been a while since I replaced mine). Remove those and the starter should be able to drop down. Make sure it doesn't fall on your head, it is a bit heavy. Some times it gets caught in the exhaust pipe and takes a bit of wiggling to get it out.
Installation of the new starter is in the reverse order.

 

Thanks, I always thought starters were real small. So now that I know it's someone big I know it didn't fall from the car.

I don't have any jack stands but I have jacks and some cinderblocks, and an emergency brake so I think I'm good.

 

word of caution... NEVER go under the car with just a jack. make sure you either have stands or like you said blocks. i have heard stories about people almost being crushed when the jack slipped. i would invest in some jack stands, especially if you plan on doing more work on it in the future.

 

I have 2 jacks and a bunch of cinderblocks. I can't afford another tow so I'm gonna have to risk it.

 

Put something behind the rear wheels to prevent the car from rolling backwards, regardless of the condition of your parking brake. Jack one side up and put cinder blocks underneath. Make sure that it is all secure. Jack the other side up, and place cinder blocks underneath. I am fairly thick chested, so I usually need to get both sides on the front jacked up in order to squeeze underneath the car. Don't crawl underneath the car while the car is supported by a jack. It is not worth getting crashed for a mare 140 bucks.

 

I actually just got hired yesterday so I'm gonna save up and not die.

Thanks though.