So out of the blue my car decides not to start. The starter doesn't click when I turn the key and there is no power to the lights or anything. The car has a new starter so I don't think its that. Should I start looking at the battery or ignition switch?

Thanks!!

Battery. Ignition switch wouldn't cause the lights not to work.

Check for loose cables and corrosion on the battery terminals.

If it's not a maintenance free battery check to be sure it's got water in it.

If you have a multimeter check the battery voltage. With the car
off it should be around 11.5 to 12 volts.

:nanawrench:

Since the starter was recently replaced check the connections and for burnt wires down be the starter if the battery and connections are OK.
The 'ol fusible link thing again - maybe.

Maybe you're having the same problem I am. The ignition coil might be overheating.

Do you have a test light, or volt meter? Do the head lights come on? make sure that the battery still has a charge. Check the connections at the battery, the Pos & Neg terminals. How out of the blue? Worked last night when you came home, but this morning dead? Or worked fine last month, but now it will not start? Do you have a battery charger? Hook one up and let it charge for a couple hours. My guess is battery.

If everything in the car is dead it sounds like something basic. Ths horn is one of the 1st circuits the voltage sees. Does it work? If not, using an Ohmmeter I'd check for continuity between the heavy red wire going from the alternator/battery to the horn relay. Then from there into the fuse panel. Don't forget to double check your ground wire while you're at it.

Everything is fed from the starter terminal, where the battery positive cable is connected, as well as a feed wire for everything except the starter. Like 464elky said, it may well be a fusable link in the feed wire, which maybe located down by the starter or up-stream someplace in that feed wire.

check fusable link and grounds also wires @ starter

Hey guys I have a similar problem with my car like the original post mine also just died. I mean just died. I was driving it, everything seemed to be running good except the starter acted up that morning. But other then that all good pulled into a store shut the car off came out like 15 mins after car had no juice at all. It wouldn't click make a sound nothing. When I got it home I checked the battery it was dead, I charged it till it was full then tried it, car still wouldn't start. Pulled the starter checked it, couldn't get it to work so I installed a new one. Checked the wires again still wont do anything. The car is getting power like my headlights are all working correctly and what not the starter is getting power. I installed an msd ignition about 2 years ago, checked the box its making spark and checked the wires everything seems to be connected. I was told maybe the ignition switch in the column or thinking maybe the coil went bad, but not sure how to check it. Any guesses would help, because I'm lost. Thanks guys sorry if there is another post already I looked but couldn't find one that sounded exactly the same so figured i would ask just incase.

If your lights are okay check the park/ neutral switch.

Richard

If you wiggle the shift lever a bit while holding the key in "start", it may help discover if the start/neutral switch is good/bad. Not sure how that year is wired. Is there a fuse in the start circuit ? Some GM cars have a fuse in the start circuit, my old Caddy does.
You say the lights work. Do they go dim when you try the starter? There is usually a purple wire going to the starter solenoid for energizing the starter, on the small terminal on the solenoid. You might try jumping the small terminal to the big battery cable terminal on the starter. If that makes the starter turn (make sure it's in park), then the ignition switch may be the culprit, or like Lugnut sez, the neutral switch.

I have had issues with the firewall connector doing this same thing too. Never found out if it was the neutral safety terminal of the battery feed to the interior, but the connector block sandwiches on each side of the firewall. If you have had any shorts in the interior, or a voltage regulator go bad and overheat th eterminals, it will corrode and cause bad cannections at teh firewall. If all the other trouble shooting advice here doesn't show the issue. Disconnect the battery, Take the big connector apart at the firewall, make sure no terminals look cooked or corroded,, clean everything up with WD40 or brake clean,, and see if that helps.
But I bet the guys here have already nailed it,, neutral safety switch sure sounds likethe culprite here.

I had problems with that firewall connector some years ago. I found that the screw in the center of it was loose, causing intermittent problems. Like Marv said, it's sure worth checking it out.

ok sorry it took me so long to respond didnt have time to look at the car. so an update i found the neutral switch and replaced it and this is waht happened. the starter ingages but the engine wont crank over then after about a second or two the car shorts out. i guess as soon as i get the chance i will check out the connector on the firewall. hey thanks a lot for the help guys. p.s. Ive been learning as i go with this car so at least its a good learning experience even though its annoying lol

If Starter engages but doesn't spin, and your Batt. and connections are good and fully charged, in all likelihood your Starter is Bad.

Can anybody help me here? I have an 85 El Camino 8th digit in the vin is "H", it has the 4 barrel rochester and a 305 v8. it started about 8 months ago, but now wont fire up. battery is ok i replaced the ecm thinking it was that and it wasnt. i checked the four pong going to the distrbuter and i am not getting power to it. anybody got any hints for me i am stuck. if you need more info let me know. i appreciate any and all help.

No power to the distributor?

I'm thinking ignition switch, loose wire or blown fuse.
Let us know what you find.
Good luck.

I think you start a new thread rather than asking in an old one. I don't think you'll get much visibility in a thread started back in february.

Sorry i am new dont know how to start a new thread

checked fuses, checked ignition swicth, all ok i was told about an elctronic ignition control unit and to check that just dont know how to

Thanks MNUNN and BOBBY78 i posted a new thread if you want to check that out

Sorry i am new dont know how to start a new thread

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