Hey guys, im mike i just bought a 3rd gen camaro for 500 bucks, and need some guidance on what to check and how to get it running right. This is my first car so I dont really know what im doing so it would be great if u can go over some things with me to get me more familar with the car. okay so it needs a bit of body work the front left body panel is banged up and needs to be replaced along with the door. the engine as far as i know is in terrible shape, i figured out it isnt seized so thats good, but i turn the key and it doesnt even do anything, i charged the battery and everythingg electrical works, windows, radio ect. so i took off the starter and I think its shot, i think the previous owner thought it was fine and said theres was an electrical problem when it could have just been the starter idk.

 

welcome to TGO

check out the tech articles on the home page, they are real helpfull and have alot of fun, easy, and free mods

take the starter to your local parts house and have it checked, if its good then you got a problem in the wire somethere (duh)

 

Most parts stores will test the starter for free.

 

yeah im pretty sure that its shot, I just put power to the negative and positive and it didnt turn over or do anything

 

Did you put +12 on the solenoid terminal at the same time?

 

yeah i think im just going to buy a new starter and see if thats it.

 

Let the parts throwing begin! :-) If it's not doing anything, you can try a solenoid first. That's what sends the power to the starter.

 

yeah dude but i figured why spend $55 on just the selonoid when the whole starter including it too is $70

 

$16.29 at Advance, but hey, it's your money and time.

 

solenoid would definately be cheaper. you could have tested the starter while it's still installed. Just turn on your head lights and have someone standing in front of the car looking at them and turn the key, if the lights dim bad then its pretty for sure your starter is seized and you just need to replace it.

Its a pain in the *** getting around the y pipe but if you take the solenoid off it'll come out with some wiggling.

Basic get-em-running **** is needed, though more information on the camaro would be helpful. Spark Plugs, Wires, if its carb then a new rotor and cap would be nice, oil change, tranny fluid change, radiator fluid change, check your rear end gear oil, fill as needed if needed. Replace your starter. Start it up and tell us how it runs. Give it a good wash and vaccum the interior... blah blah blah

Be content with it for a couple of months then start modding the hell out of it, its what usually happens, i know from experience =D