I have electrical problems and my car won't start. Are there any trouble shooting tips to help?

HLWILSON

MEMBER
1981 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
85,000 MILES

I have a 1981 Corvette. Car will not start with key, Can start car by jumping at solenoid wire. I have replaced the anti theft relay next to the shifter. There are 3 purple wires, and 1 smaller black and white wire. 2 of the purple wires are hot when the key is on, I can jump the one with the ignition on and the car will start. I have checked the ignition switch, it seems to be ok. The wire from the ignition switch to the anti theft was fried/melted and replaced. Can someone please help me?

7 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

Have you checked the starter relay?

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Tuesday, November 15th, 2011 AT 2:15 AM

HLWILSON

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15 POSTS

I am not sure which one is the starter relay.

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Tuesday, November 15th, 2011 AT 2:38 AM

HLWILSON

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15 POSTS

I have checked the starter and starter solenoid. I have power going to the starter but not the solenoid.

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Tuesday, November 15th, 2011 AT 2:45 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

Okay, to the starter comes directly from the battery. The solenoid is what engages everything. Work your way back to the starter relay to see if there is power there.

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Tuesday, November 15th, 2011 AT 2:50 AM

HLWILSON

MEMBER
15 POSTS

I took a continuity test from the solenoid to goes all the way up and ties into the anti theft relay which leads to the ignition and I have power to the relay but I can not get any power out to go back to the starter. If I unplug the relay I have power, I plug relay in and I loose power on both new and old anti theft relay.