Thread: HELP!!! She won't start

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I have been working on this problem for about 3 weeks now. I already tested the neutral safety switch that is fine. I get power to the starter solenoid side. All the starter does is a very low click. The starter and solenoid have already been tested. I woked with a diagram that Denny W sent me and everything is correct. Help!!!!!!

It's a 350 chevy with a th350.Ron Francis wiring and MSD ignition box and distributor.

I have the ground connected to one of the stater bolts.(as suggested with wire works kit).

Seems you need to work through a process of elimination,,,first,,,start with a full charged battery,,,then if i were you,,i'd take that starter out of the car and test it with a direct jump from some jumper cables,,,when you are satisfied that the starter spins good,,,then you got to look for why it wont when it's mounted in the car,,,,like every one has been suggesting,,,,get your grounds done first,,,then worry about power feed,,,make sure you got a realy good connection from the positive on the battery,,to the main,,positive on the starter,,,then you need the "hot" wire from the ingition switch down to the starter solenoid,,,make all your connections soldered and or crimped,,,but do them well.
If your starter is still not working after doing the above,,,then you will know it's either the solenoid or it's not electrical at all.

Then look at the possibility that the starter is jamming when mounted to the block,,,,it may need to be shimmed.

Listen to Denny, check your wiring first. I would say the same thing, sounds like you are

1. not getting enough power to the starter
2. starter is not strong enough to turn the motor
3. it's in to tight and can't turn

and to be perfectly honest I have only had to shim a couple of chevy starters in my entire life. I know that they get done like that, but not real often. My first instinct would be to check all the cables, make sure they are hooked up like Denny says, then try a starter. Remember, just because a starter tests good on a bench doesn't mean it strong enough to turn over a motor. When it kicks out and spins you should be able to really feel the torque. I have seen many a starter that tested good on a bench under no load that wouldn't start a car.

If I remember correctly, if you do need to shim your starter, you wouldn't hear a click, it would either bind and you'd hear nothing, or fail to disengage where the noise is loud and grating (the flywheel teeth and gear being torn off) not a half pleasant clicking sound like in a low batt/ current situation.

I'm with Denny, weak battery, bad grounds, and or bad connections. Take Denny's advice and make sure you have good secure grounds.

DEnny you got it... low battery and a bad wire on the neutral safety switch. Thanks to all that responded.