body ground starter issue - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

dads67 · 09-19-2016, 08:34 AM

on my 67 sbc Camaro starts fine then after driven awhile sometimes starts sometimes not. no click nothing.... found two issues one the yellow wire was broken into... to the starter as well as body ground wire from body ti frame was broken could the body ground make it not start? no headers

Stingr69 · 09-19-2016, 01:55 PM

VERY OLD problem. We used to keep a large craftsman screw driver in the glove box for this issue. We would MAKE CERTAIN the car was NOT IN GEAR, then short circuit across the starter terminals with the ignition key in the "on" position. This would cause the starter to crank and start the car.

If this screwdriver method works to start your car there are several possible solutions. Nobody likes the one we used back in the day but it DOES work - add a Ford starter relay to the circuit. No GM wires are cut and no permanent modifications. I can show you more if you are interested.

Yes I do have one on my car. :~D

jrhagen · 09-20-2016, 08:25 AM

I used a push button jump starter instead of the screwdriver on my 67.

pcguy2u · 09-20-2016, 03:28 PM

On my SBC Vega it would happen that way when it got hot. Pulled the starter, cleaned the copper points and it was better. The final fix was what STINGR69 posted. Here's a schematic.
Nick

dads67 · 12-11-2016, 10:01 AM

FIXED..... removed starter had checked which checked out fine, while doing so discovered the body ground strap near it had an end crimp that had pulled out as well as a wire on starter had broken.

replaced the broken wire, crimped the ground strap and wire cleaned there contact points reinstalled NO ISSUES AT ALL ENGINE HOT OR COLD thumbs up

09-19-2016, 08:34 AM	#1
dads67 Drives: 67 camaro Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: texas Posts: 66 View My Garage	body ground starter issue on my 67 sbc Camaro starts fine then after driven awhile sometimes starts sometimes not. no click nothing.... found two issues one the yellow wire was broken into... to the starter as well as body ground wire from body ti frame was broken could the body ground make it not start? no headers

09-20-2016, 03:28 PM	#4
pcguy2u Drives: 2009 Corvette ZR1 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: On the coast North of SFBay Posts: 297	On my SBC Vega it would happen that way when it got hot. Pulled the starter, cleaned the copper points and it was better. The final fix was what STINGR69 posted. Here's a schematic. Nick Attached Images

09-19-2016, 01:55 PM	#2
Stingr69 '69 Owned Since '79 Drives: '69 Z/28 LeMans Blue w/White Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LR AR Posts: 1,847 View My Garage	VERY OLD problem. We used to keep a large craftsman screw driver in the glove box for this issue. We would MAKE CERTAIN the car was NOT IN GEAR, then short circuit across the starter terminals with the ignition key in the "on" position. This would cause the starter to crank and start the car. If this screwdriver method works to start your car there are several possible solutions. Nobody likes the one we used back in the day but it DOES work - add a Ford starter relay to the circuit. No GM wires are cut and no permanent modifications. I can show you more if you are interested. Yes I do have one on my car. :~D

09-20-2016, 08:25 AM	#3
jrhagen Banned Drives: Camaro Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: USA Posts: 2,701	I used a push button jump starter instead of the screwdriver on my 67.

12-11-2016, 10:01 AM	#5
dads67 Drives: 67 camaro Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: texas Posts: 66 View My Garage	FIXED..... removed starter had checked which checked out fine, while doing so discovered the body ground strap near it had an end crimp that had pulled out as well as a wire on starter had broken. replaced the broken wire, crimped the ground strap and wire cleaned there contact points reinstalled NO ISSUES AT ALL ENGINE HOT OR COLD thumbs up