Starting 65 El camino

[65 Elco]

A 1965 El Camino - new battery, lights - wipers work, car will not turn over - with screwdriver at the starter to solenoid, car turns over but will not kick as if there is no spark. I believe I now need to check wires, connections, fuseable links and the coil?

[rhandwor]

Give it a shot of starting fluid if it starts its a fuel problem. Or take a plug and put it in the plug wire have somebody crank as you hold the plug against the block with insulated pliers. Check for spark if no spark also check,rotor,points,condenser and distributor cap in addition to other items you listed.

[65 Elco]

<P>Thanks for tips on spark&nbsp; -&nbsp; I think that is my secondary problem&nbsp; -&nbsp; first thing is getting power to the starter&nbsp; </P>
<P>Starter works - when jumped to solenoid</P>
<P>Battery works - powers lights, wipers etc. - but no power to starter </P>
<P>What is most logical cause (fusable links, starter cable, points?)</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>Thanks,</P>

[65 Elco]

Thanks for tips on spark I think that is my secondary problem first thing is getting power to the starter
Starter works - when jumped to solenoid
Battery works - powers lights, wipers etc. - but no power to starter What is most logical cause (fusable links, starter cable, points?

[rhandwor]

Use a 12 volt test light and check if the purple wire has power at the ignition switch on the steering column. Look at the wires to the starter for a burned fuse able link.

[cherryelky305]

or a bad ignition switch

[CalifOkie]

If this car was running and all in the sudden it wouldn't crank or start the first thing I would check is the wires at the starter on the solenoid. There should be 2 fusible links there. They both come off the battery lead on the solenoid one leads to back of the alternator ( and is easily checked there), and the other leads to the ignition switch. Those two wires commonly either get oil saturated and burn the links, or get melted on the exhaust manifold or short out on the engine block (either way they burn the links out). If they're oil soaked or melted repair both of them. If no wire damage is seen probe both ends of each fuselink with a 12v testlight. If both ends light the testlight go check for power getting to the ignition switch. If only one end of a fuselink is hot then repairing that fuselink should bring everything back.