65 Chevelle won't start

[NJCJOE]

I'm new to this forum and thought maybe someone here could help me out.

I have a stock 65 Chevelle with a 230 L6. All of a sudden I can't seem to get the car started. When I turn the key to start all I get is a click at the horn relay/voltage regulator area. Battery is new. Jumping starting does nothing.

I tried a different starter solenoid, starter and horn relay. Still doesn't start. Put a test light at the starter and when the key is turned to start, I have power at the starter.

I also turned the key on and jumped the starter with a screwdriver and she started right up.

Could a bad voltage regulator cause this problem? Any other ideas of what I can try. This is driving me crazy because I know it has to be something very simple. Thanks for the help.

Joe

[96Civ]

If you turn the key to start and it 'clicks' it usually just isn't getting enough juice to turn the engine over. Are your battery terminals all clean? How new is the battery?

I had this problem a few days ago and it turned out that my battery was dead. It just could not hold a charge.

Turn on your lights... do they seem dim? When you jump started the car, did you put the positive on your battery and the negative on the car?

... and last but not least....

Welcome to AF!

[NJCJOE]

I was thinking the same way, but when I jumped the starter with the screwdriver, there was plenty of power to start the engine. Fired right up. The battery is only a few months old.

When I did try to jumpstart the car, hooked up correctly, all I got was the "click".

Thanks.

Joe

[96Civ]

So it sounds like everything works, but you cannot start the car with the key.. I know this sounds dumb, but you sure your turning the key all the way. I'm sorry to say I have been a victim of pure retardedness. Glad no one found out about that.

[NJCJOE]

LOL! We've all done those things we hope that no one was watching.

I'm positive the key was turned all the way. I do appreciate the help.

Joe

[96Civ]

What type of battery is it and where did you get it from?

[NJCJOE]

I forget the name brand, but it came from Wal-mart.

Joe

[Eli65]

I'm brand new here myself but hopefully this will help you. Sounds like all your parts are fine. Jumping the solenoid and the car starting means that the starter and solenoid are working, and also the battery (and charging system) are fine. If your 65 is like mine, the 40 year old wiring is wearing out. I'd suggest a multimeter rather than a test light for this since the bulb in the test light will light up at a relatively low voltage. You should have close to 12V at the start side of the solenoid when the key is in the start position. If not, trace this wire back until you find clean, strong voltage and replace at least from this point to the starter. Or you could install a simple relay. The relay input will be from the main starter lug and the activation side of the relay will be the existing 'start' wire. Then run the relay output (clean 12V main power triggered by the key when in start position) to the start side of the solenoid.

[NJCJOE]

Eli65,

You are absolutely right. After further testing, I only have 6.5 volts getting to the starter. So, now I will start working my way back and see if I can find the problem along that wire. Thank you for the help guys.

Joe