It cranks fine but I can't get my ride to start!!!

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It cranks fine but I can't get my ride to start!!!

Postby bigguy5994 » Sat Mar 28, 2015 5:50 pm

Somebody help me please!!! I have a 75 Monza Towne Coupe with the original 2.3 L four banger and 4 speed tranny. Last year i go the wild idea to to put a new stereo system into it (yes I did cut the dash and yes I now regret it). I had to get a new battery then ran all the wiring and checked to make sure the radio and speakers worked before I put it all back together- everything was fine so I went ahead and got everything installed and was ready to go intimidate my neighbors with classic 60's and 70's rock and roll. I cranked the motor but it would not start, then noticed that the dome light was not on and the radio would not work. I have talked with several mechanics and the consensus is that it is probably an electrical problem and i am at a complete loss on which direction to go from here. I used the cigarette lighter wiring to power the radio and as I said it had worked but now it does not. I have all the wiring diagrams and have combed over them so many times they need a shot of rogaine now. Any ideas or suggestions? Right now I am so befuzzled I can't think straight-
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Re: It cranks fine but I can't get my ride to start!!!

Postby spencerforhire » Sat Mar 28, 2015 7:01 pm

The lighter and dome light are on the same fuse, so I presume you've blown that one; but that should not have any effect on the car's ignition. So I have to ask what other wires did you splice into for the stereo installation? Normally, on the stereo there is a yellow bat+ wire that you would have hooked to the orange lighter wire, plus a red acc+ wire that should have been hooked to the yellow radio accessory feed wire in the dash. A possible problem would be If you somehow ended up with that red hooked to something else that has blown another fuse. The only fuse that would prevent starting would be the fuel pump feed. Not sure if this will help, but here's a link to the wiring diagram for your car-
download/file.php?id=4692
The "fleet"-
72 Vega HB Drag Car -383/'Glide/9"(9.35@146.19)(5.94@117.28 1/8th)
77 Vega Estate wagon- project(someday)will have TPI305/T-5, S-10 spindles/axles
76 Vega GT- 400/4spd/9" retired from active duty(rusty)
06 Silverado 2WD ex.cab daily
03 Silverado 2WD ex.cab (retired)
06 Haulin' 20ft enclosed car transporter
06 GMC Canyon Shop truck
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99 Saturn SL1- wife's car
01 Saturn SC2- son's project
07 Saturn Ion Redline project
and 4 more Saturn "parts cars"
Note- the very act of listing all of these has made me realize I have some kind of problem.....

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Re: It cranks fine but I can't get my ride to start!!!

Postby cjbiagi » Sat Mar 28, 2015 7:12 pm

Does a 4 cyl Monza use a mechanical fuel pump or electric?
Clyde.........75 Monza 2+2
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Re: It cranks fine but I can't get my ride to start!!!

Postby spencerforhire » Sun Mar 29, 2015 6:12 am

As I recall, the early ones with the 2.3 Vega motor were electric and the later 2.5 Duke motors had mechanical.
The "fleet"-
72 Vega HB Drag Car -383/'Glide/9"(9.35@146.19)(5.94@117.28 1/8th)
77 Vega Estate wagon- project(someday)will have TPI305/T-5, S-10 spindles/axles
76 Vega GT- 400/4spd/9" retired from active duty(rusty)
06 Silverado 2WD ex.cab daily
03 Silverado 2WD ex.cab (retired)
06 Haulin' 20ft enclosed car transporter
06 GMC Canyon Shop truck
07 Colorado project( 5.3 4L60e swap)
99 Saturn SL1- wife's car
01 Saturn SC2- son's project
07 Saturn Ion Redline project
and 4 more Saturn "parts cars"
Note- the very act of listing all of these has made me realize I have some kind of problem.....

Visit http://www.spencerforhire.ca
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Re: It cranks fine but I can't get my ride to start!!!

Postby SeniorSavage » Sun Mar 29, 2015 4:45 pm

orange fusible link ok?
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Re: It cranks fine but I can't get my ride to start!!!

Postby marco_1978_spyder » Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:17 am

Can you see fuel squirt in carb? is there a strong smell of gas? did the spark plug wire show it's getting spark?
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Re: It cranks fine but I can't get my ride to start!!!

Postby bigguy5994 » Sun Apr 12, 2015 2:49 pm

Replaced some 20 amp fuses that were broken and checked my wiring and did get the dome light to come back on and the radio to work. Still can't get it to start and I am pretty sure my fuel pump is not working so will be getting more fuses (25 amp, 10 amp, 4 amp, and every other amp I find) and see if that solves the problem. And the beat goes on....
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Re: It cranks fine but I can't get my ride to start!!!

Postby spencerforhire » Sun Apr 12, 2015 5:11 pm

Here's a quick thing you can do to help track down the problem; find the oil pressure/fuel pump safety switch under the hood. It has 3 large wires- pink (ignition) purple (start) and blue (fuel pump). If you place a jumper between the pink and blue terminals, you should be able to hear the fuel pump run when you turn on the key.
The "fleet"-
72 Vega HB Drag Car -383/'Glide/9"(9.35@146.19)(5.94@117.28 1/8th)
77 Vega Estate wagon- project(someday)will have TPI305/T-5, S-10 spindles/axles
76 Vega GT- 400/4spd/9" retired from active duty(rusty)
06 Silverado 2WD ex.cab daily
03 Silverado 2WD ex.cab (retired)
06 Haulin' 20ft enclosed car transporter
06 GMC Canyon Shop truck
07 Colorado project( 5.3 4L60e swap)
99 Saturn SL1- wife's car
01 Saturn SC2- son's project
07 Saturn Ion Redline project
and 4 more Saturn "parts cars"
Note- the very act of listing all of these has made me realize I have some kind of problem.....

Visit http://www.spencerforhire.ca
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Re: It cranks fine but I can't get my ride to start!!!

Postby Monza Harry » Sun Apr 12, 2015 9:51 pm

To start some of the rides I have worked on after sitting I usually prime the carb by filling the carb through the vent in the main opening with a small funnel this way I don't have to wait (and crank) until fuel catches up but be careful of splash as it can catch fire pretty easily. Don't ask, names and dates have been changed to protect the stupid (me :lol: :dunce: ) No H-Bodies were harmed during this act of less than brilliant behavior! This will remove the fuel pump from the equation for a few moments like ten seconds of running, and can help identify/isolate issues. Harry
I'm not a hoarder I'm a preservationist 78 Monza Spyder (~Soon(ish +/- I guess) To Be 2+2 with Spoilers)
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Re: It cranks fine but I can't get my ride to start!!!

Postby bigguy5994 » Sat May 23, 2015 12:33 pm

wiring.JPG


Where does the hanging black wire go?
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Re: It cranks fine but I can't get my ride to start!!!

Postby bigguy5994 » Mon May 25, 2015 3:18 pm

Still can't get it to start- it will crank and crank but I do not hear the fuel pump when it does so thinking that might be the problem. I replaced all the fuses, checked every connection I could find including the oil pressure/fuel pump safety switch and am stumped!!! There is a connection in the picture below that shows a black wire coming out from behind the fuse block but have no idea where it goes. I also looked through my pile of parts and did find what looked like a jumper wire- it is maybe two inches long and has a flat metal plug on both ends. If this a jumper wire where would I plug it in or how would I use it? Needless to say my mechanical and diagnostic skills are virtually none existent and am at a total loss as to what to do now. Help!!!
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1975 Chevrolet Monza Towne Coupe

Re: It cranks fine but I can't get my ride to start!!!

Postby bigguy5994 » Fri Jun 05, 2015 11:19 am

IMG_0305.JPG
Been going over my Monza again to see why it still will not start- I finally found the oil pressure switch connector but don't see where and what it plugs into. Maybe the picture might help-
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1975 Chevrolet Monza Towne Coupe

Re: It cranks fine but I can't get my ride to start!!!

Postby spencerforhire » Fri Jun 05, 2015 5:21 pm

If you look back at my last post, I suggested putting a jumper wire between the pink and blue. Then check for fuel pump operation.
The "fleet"-
72 Vega HB Drag Car -383/'Glide/9"(9.35@146.19)(5.94@117.28 1/8th)
77 Vega Estate wagon- project(someday)will have TPI305/T-5, S-10 spindles/axles
76 Vega GT- 400/4spd/9" retired from active duty(rusty)
06 Silverado 2WD ex.cab daily
03 Silverado 2WD ex.cab (retired)
06 Haulin' 20ft enclosed car transporter
06 GMC Canyon Shop truck
07 Colorado project( 5.3 4L60e swap)
99 Saturn SL1- wife's car
01 Saturn SC2- son's project
07 Saturn Ion Redline project
and 4 more Saturn "parts cars"
Note- the very act of listing all of these has made me realize I have some kind of problem.....

Visit http://www.spencerforhire.ca
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Re: It cranks fine but I can't get my ride to start!!!

Postby bigguy5994 » Fri Jun 05, 2015 7:01 pm

I am such a dork!!!! I remember you saying use the jumper wire between the blue and pink but it never occurred to me to use the connector plug. Just went in the garage and used the little blue jumper I been carrying around with me and stuck it in the holes on the connector and it fired up on the second try. Love that sound!!! What do I need to do now- do I keep using the jumper wire or what? I am ready to take my baby out for a spin!! Thanks Spencer- you da MAN!!!
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1975 Chevrolet Monza Towne Coupe

Re: It cranks fine but I can't get my ride to start!!!

Postby cjbiagi » Fri Jun 05, 2015 7:49 pm

You need to connect that connector to the oil pressure switch. I don't know where it is on a 4 banger but it has to be somewhere where the connector will reach. It should screw into the block into a oil pressure passage. It prevents the fuel pump from running when the oil pressure is either too low or in the event of a accident when the engine stalls. Don't bypass it long-term, hook it up correctly to keep everything safe as designed.
Clyde.........75 Monza 2+2
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