QuestionQUESTION: i dont hear a click or anything when trying to crank the car but if u jump the starter the car starts could the the starter be faulty or could the problem be else where i had somenone crank the car and put a test light to all points but it didnt light with the purple wire
ANSWER: There are probably 50 different things it COULD be, so don't start spending money until we figure it out!
Start off by telling what your car is: Brand, Year, Model, Engine and transmission - then we can get started.
Use the "post a follow up question" link to get back to me.
I'll help you figure it out if you give me enough information.
Dick
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: "i have 1974 oldsmobile omega v8 5.7L thats not getting current to the starter i took the starter to get tested and the starter and solenoid is good i put a test light to the starter and check the connect from the battery it lite up bright i check one of the points on the starter and it lite up dim then i check the other point and tried to crank the car it lite up as bright as the connection from the battery where does the two wires go to off the side of the starter the wires were right by my exhaust and its possible the wires could be damaged"
ANSWER: OK, thats some of the info I need. You didn't tell me what transmission you have, but I am going to guess that you have an automatic and we'll just go with that.
The wires that you tested on the starter are acting OK - the one that is dim goes to the ballast resistor - it isn't part of your problem.
The one that lights up bright when you turn the key is the important one, and it is also acting right - it should be out until you turn the key, and light up bright when you turn the key - which if I understand you right, is exactly what it does. To answer your question, that wire goes to your Neutral safety switch on your transmission (that's why I needed to know what transmission you have). If you have a standard shift, there is no Neutral Safetly switch, but there is a switch under the clutch pedal - and those can go bad. BUT! in your case, since you tested it at the starter terminal, that is all OK - the problem has to be either bad battery cables or a bad starter/solenoid.
If your battery cables are dirty, or have those clamp on repair ends, replace them - that could be your problem. Otherwise, the starter/solenoid IS bad, regardless of what they told you.
If the large terminal from the battery has 12 volts on it, and the small "start" terminal (the one that lights up bright when you turn the key) is OK too, the starter should crank the engine. If it doesn't, either the starter or the solenoid is bad.
Dick
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Dick
I got the car to start I sand papered all connections and replaced the wires that were brittle and move and fastened them down now all I have to do is find some wire insulation and a fan shroud if you have any suggestion that would be great.
Thanks again for your help
AnswerI'm glad you got it going. If you want to insulate some wires, buy a roll of black electrical tape - 3/4 inch wide, at the Home Depot or other hardware store. As for replacing the fan shroud, a junkyard is going to be your only way, I'm afraid. The same part is used on Buick, Pontiac, Olds and Chevy compacts (Apollo,Ventura,Omega and Nova). It shouldn't be too hard to find - look for a 1974 Nova - there are a lot more of them than anything else.
Dick
