I have a 1986 camaro RS with a 305 and 4barrel carb. i have had a problem starting it latley. the problem is that every time i turn the key it doesnt do anything, no noises no clicks no nothing. but iam getting power to everything else. like when i open the door the light comes on and it makes the beepin noise. i know its not the battery cause i checked it with a meter and i know its not the soliniod or the starter. caused i replaced the solinoid and tested them. i also know that it isnt the neutral saftey/back up light switch. but there was a couple times when i could get the car to start when i was messin with the wires that come in to the solinoid. but once i turned it off it wouldnt start again. we cheked the teminals on the solinoid there was one post that had 12volts al the time then there was one post that when i turn the key it would get 11 volts. i would think that it would kick it but aparently not. alot of my friends are tellin me that it is my ignition switch but i dont see how that can be when i am gettin 11volts to it when i turn the key. i just think that it is a conection issue. All I have available to me is a Hanes manual which is not very detailed. If anyone knows of a source which would alow me to review (online) a more detailed schematic concering this, I would be grateful for the assistance. Thank you.

 

may be the connector at the end of the solonoid wire needs replacing. could be a bad wire as well. a break that touches so once you put a load on it it fails. the wire should remain the same color so follow the harness up untill you can see that color wire and test it there, if you get 12 volts then you know its the wire. also if 12 volts is coming out of the igniton switch but not getting to the solonoid there is something amiss. we used to take a screwdriver and short the hot terminal to the s terminal to start motor if all else failed. lol, problem nowdays is you cant get to the starter.

 

The Haynes manual is not very detailed? Do you have the Camaro specific one?
I have one and am looking at it. Section 10-14 has a complete schematic of the starting and charging system. You could have blown one of the fusible links, your car has 2 of them. Also check your battery ground cable. You should have a good connection to the engine, and from the engine to the frame/body. With a weak connection, you can still be getting power readings and lights because they are low amp draws. But once you try to kick the starter in, it won't have enough juice to go.
When you say you tested the starter and solenoid, did you test it out of the car and it ran? You can also run power and ground directly from the battery to the starter using jumper cables. Eliminate the starter and find the problem with the wiring.

 

I shall try this screwdriver method tommarow at the crack of noon. and then trace the s wire to its other end and test it. I really appreciate your advice. cause i need my baby to run! thank you

 

Thank you for the advice, it is appreciated. Although this is not about Haynes, in my opinion, compared to Chiltons it is not very detailed. What I mean to say is that Haynes does not contain all the pretty pictures that help to guide those of us not quite as knowledgeable. This is not to say that I do not value the ones I have because I do. I've just had issues (automotive) in the past in which the Haynes manual was unable to provide direction. Thus the reason I am posting. Again, thank you for replying, your help is appreciated.

 

i think this is what 69 was refering to. i have found the factory service manuals are the best, have one for my car and truck.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...0#ht_925wt_923

 

Actually I was referring to the Haynes that I presume nchouck has as well. From what he now says, I gather he was looking for more of an illustration instead of a diagram that the Haynes has.
But it does show what wires to look for, you just have to look for them. Knowing what wires exist is half the battle in tracing problems, maybe even 5/8.

 

ok,,, thats what i get for thinking.