Need Help Please 68 Corvette

[Kurt B.]

After 7 years of painfully restoring my 68 I finally tried to turn the key tonight and start my newly restored engine. Dead Silence.
Symptoms:
Key in ignition activates key warning buzzer.
Horn works.
Juice on battery wire on rear of newly restored by J. Pirkle alternator.
Juice at battery wire on new starter.
Brand new Delco battery

No clicking sound from solenoid.
Starter does not engage.
No juice on positive or negative post of ignition coil when key is on.
No dash lights (headlamps , taillamps, and side marker lights have been removed for painting of body)
No interior lights in footwells.
Everything installed according to Assembly Manual and copius notes taken over the 7 years of this project.

I know nothing about automotive electrical and am stumped as to what to check or look for.
Any help desperately needed and appreciated.
Feeling a little lower than whale dung at this point.
Thank you in advance,
Kurt Bunting

[Joe L.]

Re: Need Help Please 68 Corvette

Kurt-----

A few suggestions:

Check for all wiring connections being made in proper location;

Check that the fusible ink located in the wiring near the starter is intact and carrying current;

There may be a poor connection at one of the firewall wiring harness connectors. These connections can corrode over time or become loose;

There could be a problem with the ignition switch, but since you have the other electrical maladies, I would not expect the problem to be here.

[Paul Bigness]

Re: Need Help Please 68 Corvette

The first thing to check are the fuses in the fuse panel which I imagine you've done. I am suspicious of the ignition switch. Check to see if your amperage gauge moves when you turn the key. If nothing, then something may be down in the ignition sequence. If it drops, then juice appears to be going to the starter and either the solenoid is out or the starter could be stuck. Good luck, I'm sure you will find it. Keep narrowing it down.

[Roy B.]

Re: Need Help Please 68 Corvette

If you have a Automatic trans. then check your ajustment on the safty switch is set for park and connected

[Joe L.]

Re: Need Help Please 68 Corvette

Roy and Curt-----

I happen to know that Kurt's car is a 4 speed. But, you bring up a good point, anyway. 1968+ manual transmissions have a safety start switch that is clutch activated. There could be a problem with the switch, the connecting rod linkage, or the connections.

[David L.]

Re: Need Help Please 68 Corvette

Hey Joe. In the `68 AIM and on my 4 spd I find no evidence of a clutch activated safety switch. In the revision record of the AIM wiring diagram, page H275, there is a revision record dated 9/28/67 which notes: "Back up lamp and neutral safety switch conn rmvd". The diagram illustrates the back up switch but not the neutral safety switch. My car has the back up lamp switch mounted on the transmission but I don't find the clutch activated switch. Considering the revision record, would you conclude that the safety switch was omitted, at least on early build dates? Mine is a Dec `67. Thanks.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Need Help Please 68 Corvette

David,

I know my 72 has such a switch, but my 71 does not. After almost 10 years of owning the 71, I have to remember on occasion to press the clutch down on the 72.

Patrick

[Terry M.]

Re: Need Help Please 68 Corvette

Patrick, If you are referring to the need to depress the clutch before the starter will engage (this is different than a neutral safety switch) your 1971 should behave just like your 1972. Perhaps someone jumpered the switch on the 1971?

[Jim T.]

Re: Need Help Please 68 Corvette

Joe my original owner 68 has never had a safety start switch. Turning the ignition to start in gear will function whether the clutch is in or not. Feb 68 built 68.

[Kurt B.]

Re: Need Help Please 68 Corvette

I have the same situation: no neutral safety switch but I do have the backup lamp switch on the 4 speed transmission.
I am second owner having purchased the car in 1972 and it has never had a neutral safety switch since I have owned it. I thought that was strange. Build date was May 10, 1968.
Kurt

[Patrick H.]

Re: Need Help Please 68 Corvette

Terry,

That's entirely possible.

But do you think I'm going to put it back on my driver car? I doubt it. I also leave the key warning buzzer disconnected as that was already done when I bought the car too. But, I will check on the switch when I work on the car this winter. The interior is getting finished, so I'll have reason to be under the dash. Otherwise I avoid going under the dash whenever possible.

Patrick

[Terry M.]

1971 start safety switch

That is fine Patrick, you can do whatever you wish with your car. I just wanted folks reading the thread to be aware that 1969 to 1972, and beyond, had the clutch start safety switch when they left St. Louis.

[Joe L.]

Re: Need Help Please 68 Corvette

Kurt, et al-----

Yes, I erred on this----1968 did not use the "neutral" safety starting switch for manual transmission applications. 1969 was the first year for this switch and then it continued to be used right through 1981.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1971 start safety switch

Terry,

Yes, understood. It also lets me know to check for it. Up until now I had thought it to be a new "feature" in 72, like the seat belt interlock and buzzer.

Patrick

[Jack H.]

Don't forget to check....

the fuseable link. I can't swear (without looking at a '68 wiring diagram) your car is so equipped, but later Sharks all had a strategically placed fuseable link (different from passenger cars). The link assy is INSIDE the wiring harness feeding the starter (about 2-inches back beneath the harness' external tape wrapping). When this fuseable link goes 'bye bye' (it'll feel soft/spongy between your fingers or clearly show external damage), ALL of the electrical items controlled via the ignition switch stop working. This kinda/sorta sounds like the symptoms you describe....