Uhhh... Help?!

[Travis]

OK. I know engines. I can get around brakes and other mechanical shit like that. I don't do bodywork... and the worst topic for me is... electrical systems. About all I know is that it can be a shocking experience.

So... I'm having issues with the 59 Impala...

Problem: Turn ignition key on and everything lights up and works. Turn it to start it and nothing happens. I changed the starter itself so that it uses a Ford remote starter relay switch and I never have hot-start problems. So if I stick a screwdriver in there with the ignition switch on, it starts right up. I changed the switch, and I also changed the ignition switch itself (yes I have lots of shit laying around). So... it still does the same thing. Only other thing I could think of is the wiring itself.

Help!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Travis

[flyin'eye]

Run a jumper wire from the start terminal on the ign switch to the starter relay, that should tell you if the wiring is ok.

[ShortBus]

check the neutral safety switch, should be on the column right above the brake pedal.

[skipperman]

Think shortbus got it..........jump the switch and hit the key (FIX it if that IS rhe problem...)you don't wanna run a street car with out a neutral saftey switch.........

Jersey skip

[McGrath]

When I put the SBC in my F100 I used the original Ford Solenoid so I wouldn't have to mess with any of the wiring. I had to make a heavy gauge Jumper on the Starter itself, from the Battery Cable, to the Stud that is normally attached to the Ihnition switch on a stock Chevy Starter.

Same Idea as jumping the two posts with a screwdriver, except its permanent. The Ford solonoid takes care of the ignition part, so if you don't put a jumper on the Chevy Starter, its not going to work.

[Travis]

OK... Flyin Eye got it... I ran a jumper wire from the IGN on the switch (purple wire) to the purple wire on the starter relay switch... it fired right up. So now I gotta either just bypass this wire altogether or try to find the problem.

At least I didn't get shocked...

Travis

[Travis]

bftwcs-

That's what I did to my 59. I got tired of getting stranded because of hot-start problems. So I put a jumper from the ign terminal on the solenoid to the main power thing... then ran 0-gauge batt cable from that to the Ford solenoid and then wired it up accordingly. I've never had problems with starting this piece of shit until now. But now it looks like the wiring under the dash is all shot and I'll have to fork over the $$$ to replace the underdash wiring harnes...

Travis

[Hackerbilt]

But did you check the neutral safety switch?
That would be my first guess too!

Bill

[Travis]

OK waitaminuteherenow...

Me jumping a wire from the IGN straight to the solenoid also bypasses the neutral switch, too? I'll check that out in the morning. Lucky I got two steering columns with neutral switches on them laying around...

Travis

[Travis]

YAY!!! Found it...

The wires going into the neutral safety switch was the culprit. One of them was kinked and almost broken off so I just cut them off and put new terminals in and VOILA! fires right up without a jumper wire.

Now I need to order new underdash wiring...

Thanks guys!

Travis

[nor cal nic]

don't you love it when a plan comes together? i'm a gonna' give this 5 stars! this is what the HAMB is about!
nic