Hello all, I posted about 2.5 months ago after I bought a 1978 Camaro with a 350 motor for $2250, need a full body body restoration but being in Michigan thats common, the frame is in excellant condition though.

Today I got around to looking in the car as to why the car still isnt running. I posted before thinking it perhaps was the ignition switch, or neutral safety switch. Well heres what I got:

We jumped the starter it turns over fine now, it wasnt turning over at all before although it ran when I bought the car and for about a day after I bought the car from the previous owner. The car wasnt starting today either until I put some gas into the carb. and it fired up for a second then died again. I know that there is gas in the tank though,

My questions are, does this narrow my problems down, it seems my ignition switch is bad correct if the car does turn over now by jumping the starter? Also could i have a bad neutral safety switch still, or a bad fuel pump, or fuel filter, not only does the ignition switch not seem to be working, the car just doesnt want to seem to get gas, its turning over fine. I think I am going to have to have it towed to a shop for work as I dont like electrical stuff. Just id like to tell the an idea of whats wrong. Could you guys let me know what you think THanks in advance,
nate

 

hey, it sounds like the fuel pump, if it fires with gas in the carb but dies then its not being fed. maybe take the gas line off of the pump and crank it over to see if it spits gas. GL

 

that sounds like a good idea, ill have to do that once christmas is over and I can get my friend over again to jump the starter for me. I still think the ignition switch must be busted though because remember the key is not turning the engine, perhaps even the neutral safety switch im thinking.

I suppose if its not this, maybe the carb is messed up or something, or a clogged fuel line, could be a lot of things.

 

I have a question for you.

Did you just dump some gas down the carb or fill the bowls through the vent tube? It may not have run long enough to get fuel pumping (lost its prime sitting). Try and fill the float bowls up and let it idle. There should be enough to get fuel pumping.

What kind of carb is on it? Your on the right track with the NSS. Joe's idea is a good one too.

Were in Michigan are ya? Maybe I can help.

 

Yeah I just dumped a bit of gas down the carb was all and it only ran about 5 seconds. My guess is, the gas in the tank wasnt able to make it up the lines most likely. I hear they are pain in the *** to get going when they are cold and have sat a few months. Im not sure exactly the carb, i know its not a big one or anthing,its a smaller like 450 or something. Yeah I have never touched a neutral safety switch before, im in Saginaw MI i just pulled the car out of the grass. The bodyshop will do the work but he wants it running before I bring it to him he doesnt want it stuck at his shop. I plan on using around 4400 of my student loans on it, it will make a nice spring summer and fall car, ill be keeping my monte carlo ls 86 for winter time driving, Im a member on Gbodyforum.com as well. I wish I knew what was wrong exactly I dont want to have it towed to a shop have them fix it and have it towed back here and towed to the shop all over again.

 

Sounds like you have multiple issues. First thing I'd do is get a cheap 12 v. test lamp. They're only about $10 or less, and it will help you figure out where you're losing power.
Once you have a light connect the clip to a known ground and check your fuses with the key off, and then on. After that you can check the neutral safety sw. with the key on by putting the tester on both wires of the switch. Both will light up when the key is on, and the selector is in Park or Neutral. If it only lights up on one side, then you have a bad switch. If it doesn't light up o either side with the key on, then you have a bad ignition switch, or wiring from the switch.

 

the 12vlt tester is one of the best tools you can own. i have one in my glove box. has saved me many of times when i got blown fuses. tap tap tap glow glow glow, tap no glow blown fuse that easy.

 

2 or 3 of those laying around actually just never thought to use one. I know for a fact that I had a few blown fuses, so first ill have to change those out. 2ndly where is the neutral safety switch located at ? is it near the ignition switch? I really dont want to have to tear into the column, im not good with those sorts of things, i break parts easily especially with it being the 10s and 20s right now, everything is brittle. Any idea what a shop might cost me to diagnose and fix this at all? My friend might be able to do it but no gaurantee

 

This thread mught help a bit? http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109730

 

those charts look pretty confusing to me lol