Go Back   The Supercar Registry > General Discussion > Supercar/Musclecar Discussion


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old Yesterday, 01:22 AM
daleone3 daleone3 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Douglas MA
Posts: 190
Thanks: 9
Thanked 66 Times in 19 Posts
Default GM Ignition/Starter quesion

First, thanks in advance for checking this out. I have a 1976 Pontiac Formula 400, 4sp, 10k original miles, very clean. I have an issue that I am trying to sort out. When the key is turned to start the car, it will continue to turn over until the car starts, turning the key back does not dis-enage the starter or cease current getting to the starter and taking foot off clutch in gear does not disengage or release the car from trying to start. There are no other issues related to the starter that I have noticed and my thought is a contact in the ignition that may be hanging up, sticking or not returning to position. Pretty comfortable around old cars having had many but have not experienced this prior. I don't want to huck parts at this without asking if anyone is familiar with this. On a side note, the car has been mostly gremlin free which is a fortunate thing.
Reply With Quote
Attachments - The Supercar Registry ign switch.jpg
O Garage vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.
Click here to view all the pictures posted in this thread...
  #2  
Old Yesterday, 03:37 AM
Lynn Lynn is offline
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 7,767
Thanks: 90
Thanked 3,572 Times in 1,506 Posts
Default

First: Are you CERTAIN it is still getting current? Is it possible it is just hanging up until it starts?

If you are certain it is still getting juice to the solenoid, then seeing that even engaging the clutch does not stop it, then I believe you have eliminated the ignition switch (assuming the clutch NSS is working. I would check that first. If the NSS is working, then try a remote starter and see if it does the same thing (or if you can get to it with a screwdriver, just do that). If it stays engaged with the ignition switch not even in the start position, then you know it isn't the switch.
__________________
Don't believe everything you read on the internet ... Ben Franklin
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old Yesterday, 11:57 AM
big gear head's Avatar
big gear head big gear head is offline
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: KY
Posts: 3,383
Thanks: 5,661
Thanked 1,456 Times in 765 Posts
Default

Maybe the starter solenoid is sticking.
__________________
Freddie
1969 Camaro RS/SS396 (427) 4 speed
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old Yesterday, 12:34 PM
njsteve's Avatar
njsteve njsteve is offline
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: NJUSA
Posts: 8,388
Thanks: 8
Thanked 2,799 Times in 858 Posts
Default

Is it a GM original ignition switch or a reproduction one? The repros are terrible and the internal "notches" (accessory, start, run) tend to not line up with the position the key is in and it leads to situations just like you described. If it is the original switch then check the column internal linkage rod to make sure the ignition switch box at the base of the column has not moved out of adjustment. This is the plastic and metal contraption with the slider that moves the terminals into contact to activate, start, run, and accessory. The switch box has oval slots for up and down adjustment. They also tend to get filled with dust and crud under the dash and can jam (which may be your issue). I'd remove it and flush it with some brake-clean. Then maybe a light WD40 spray inside to get it to slide smoothly and firmly engage with a "click" in each position. Reinstall, readjust, and see what happens.
Attached Images
 

Last edited by njsteve; Yesterday at 12:46 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old Yesterday, 03:22 PM
daleone3 daleone3 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Douglas MA
Posts: 190
Thanks: 9
Thanked 66 Times in 19 Posts
Default

It is the original ignition, all other components are believed to be original to the car


Quote:
Originally Posted by njsteve View Post
Is it a GM original ignition switch or a reproduction one? The repros are terrible and the internal "notches" (accessory, start, run) tend to not line up with the position the key is in and it leads to situations just like you described. If it is the original switch then check the column internal linkage rod to make sure the ignition switch box at the base of the column has not moved out of adjustment. This is the plastic and metal contraption with the slider that moves the terminals into contact to activate, start, run, and accessory. The switch box has oval slots for up and down adjustment. They also tend to get filled with dust and crud under the dash and can jam (which may be your issue). I'd remove it and flush it with some brake-clean. Then maybe a light WD40 spray inside to get it to slide smoothly and firmly engage with a "click" in each position. Reinstall, readjust, and see what happens.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old Yesterday, 04:25 PM
njsteve's Avatar
njsteve njsteve is offline
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: NJUSA
Posts: 8,388
Thanks: 8
Thanked 2,799 Times in 858 Posts
Default

I'd still check and see if the locating bolts for that ignition switch box at the base of the column have loosened and let it slip into a different position.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old Today, 02:06 AM
Too Many Projects's Avatar
Too Many Projects Too Many Projects is offline
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Town of Troy, WI
Posts: 5,050
Thanks: 2,648
Thanked 3,909 Times in 1,762 Posts
Default

Since pushing the clutch in does NOT stop the starter from turning, I'm with Freddie. Sounds like the solenoid is sticking.
__________________
Mitch
1970 Chevelle SS
1966 Chevelle SS
1967 Camaro ss/rs
1938 Business coupe, street rod
2000 FXSTS, original owner, 13k miles
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old Today, 03:51 PM
daleone3 daleone3 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Douglas MA
Posts: 190
Thanks: 9
Thanked 66 Times in 19 Posts
Default

Thank you, makes sense, will update when I sort this out.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Too Many Projects View Post
Since pushing the clutch in does NOT stop the starter from turning, I'm with Freddie. Sounds like the solenoid is sticking.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old Yesterday, 02:45 PM
Burd's Avatar
Burd Burd is offline
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Just Off Woodward
Posts: 1,610
Thanks: 153
Thanked 538 Times in 284 Posts
Default

When I have a starter issue, I take it to a place that does starters/alternators, last time I took one in it was $10 to fix, the guy also put a new bushing in and some lube.
If in needs to be rebuilt, yiu get your a og back.
__________________
It's only Orig once

I spend a lot of money on Wine, Women and Cars, I
waste all the rest.

1978 Y88
1995 Q45
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 05:58 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.