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It's a 55 Chevy, but it has a new 350 GM High Performance carte motor with electronic ignition.
I've been laid up and couldn't drive it for 2 years, and stupidly didn't start it every month or so. Usually when it's been sitting, it does have a battery disconnect which I use, I shoot a little starting fluid in and it starts right up.
Not this time. I charged the battery, sprayed some starting fluid and got nada. The interior light comes on but I don't even get the solenoid clicking.
Headlights don't come on, the ignition switch doesn't have to be on for the headlights to come on, so I'm thinking it's not the ignition switch itself.
Before I call in some pro help, am I missing something obvious?
Thanks.
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Have the battery checked an make sure that it is fully charged, or jump the car and see if it turns over. If its not clicking then.... it may be in your ignition circuit. Starter Solenoid not pulling and making that clicking noise, or the starter switch.
With that 55 it should be pretty easy to hot wire the car to start it. You could start the car from under the hood, and avoid the ignition swith altogether. It was so nice to work on those older cars.
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Check all connections to the battery, solenoid, and starter, including ground wire(s).
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When you try to start it, does the interior light dim?
If so, you are loading the starter, and it may be a battery issue.
If not, you aren't getting any juice to the starter-Wiring, solenoid.
Microman is correct---try voltage right to the starter and see if it turns over.
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Seems like figuring out why the headlights don't come on will be an easier first step than the starter/solenoid (and possibly a common cause). Are you sure the battery is fully charged, can you try a direct jump from another car? Any blown fuses?
Also look under the hood for signs of rodent nests and chewing, I've had wires eaten through in cars that sat outside for a month without use.
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A battery that has been dead for a while may not charge at all. Did you try to start it with the charger connected and on?
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Not ignition switch. Both no ignition response and no headlight response indicate a battery or battery connection problem.
Check battery voltage, and remove and reconnect battery cables at both ends.
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If it doesn't turn over at all but the battery seems strong otherwise, hit the starter with a hammer or stick a few times. It's best to do it while someone else tries to simultaneous start the car. Sometimes the solenoid gets stuck. Usually this means you'll need to replace the starter soon.
