[MrPbody]

Vinnie,

Welcome aboard! Congrats on having the best example of the 1st generation "F-body"! Firebird 400 is a great piece, and '69 is the coolest one (IMO)!

Beginning in '69, GM attached a set of levers from the shifter to the steering column, for the anti-theft and safety interlock mechanisms. There's also a safety decvice plugged into the clutch pedal (manual trans), to keep the starter from engaing while the clutch pedal is not depressed. Either of these can cause the symptom you describe. If an automatic, what Maxwedge said applies. The "nuetral safety switch" is in the steering coplumn on a '69 Firebird.

First, if a manual, be sure the clutch pedal is all the way to the floor before you turn the key to the "start" position. If that doesn't help, or it's an automatic trans, grab the collar around the steering column right where it comes out of the dash. Try to turn it (the collar) counterclockwise. Hold it all the way "over" and turn the key. Still nothing? Crawl under the dash and unplug the switch attached to the clutch pedal. Make a "jumper wire" with two ends that will "bypass" the switch by inserting them into the dangling plug. Try it again! You can bypass the nuetral safety switch, too, but that is NOT recommended. If the engine starts while it's in gear, it presents serious safety concerns.


If none of this works, the problem is not a '69 Firebird "specific" problem, but more of a generic electrical problem as Maxwedge suggests. You may need to "call in a pro".

Jim