Crank but no start

GABE D.

MEMBER
1978 CHEVROLET CAMARO
5.0L
V8
RWD
AUTOMATIC
100,000 MILES

Okay, so I am having problems with my car. The engine was just rebuilt and when I turn the key the engine only turns, I took a spark plug out and noticed there was no spark, I then replaced the ignition module and ignition coil and still nothing. I tested the voltage and it was still going through the full twelve volts, I then tested to see if any power was going into the coil with a light tester and I got nothing. Can somebody help me?

6 Replies

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,005 POSTS

I just looked at your wire diagram.

Pink

Pink/black

Are related to the coil

Pink runs to the ignition switch.

Pink/black runs up to the fuses.

Check your fuses.

Even take them out and reinstall, they may have rust or corrosion on the ends. Maybe test both sides of 'em with your light with the ignition turned on!

Check the ignition switch for power too.

If need be, I can screenshot parts of the diagram for you.

The Medic

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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 4:50 PM

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

First if you have a tachometer wire pull it off and see if it starts. Then pull cap and see if wire leading from coil is still there or if it broke off. If it broke you need another cap. Check pick up coil in distributor should be 650-900 ohms if not replace it. Then check coil for resistance using ohm meter go between B and C resistance should be 0.4-0.5 ohms if not coil is bad. Finally wiggle wires of pick up coil to module they are thin and over the years a vacuum advance wears them out and they lose connection.

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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 4:50 PM

GABE D.

MEMBER
10 POSTS

Sorry for super late response, so I was able to get a spark, the igniter from the distributor was blown so I replaced the whole distributor, now the motor cranks but is seized up, is there a way I can unseize it without having to rebuild it? I've heard of pouring transmission fluid through the spark plugs holes and rock the motor back and forth to loosen the camshaft, will that work?

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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 4:50 PM

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Nope you have to see why it's seizing something is not right like abearing etc.

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Saturday, August 17th, 2019 AT 4:50 PM

GABE D.

MEMBER
10 POSTS

Ok so I decided to just buy another motor, 350 4 bolt main, now with older cars a solved problem leads to another, I noticed that when I try to put the car in park it will still roll, sometimes even if I have it in the park position it will actually be in reverse, what can the problem to this be and how can I fix it?