ok so my 82 z28 won't start i got the battery checked and its good i checked the wires and they are tight now when i turn the key it just does a click which makes me think starter and the headlights turn on sometimes and when they work i turn the key and it does the click and the lights shut off so any ideas? or am i right about the starter?

 

Headlights shut off or just go dim? If they shut off and don't come back on once the key is released I would suspect a bad connection. The bolt may be tight on the battery but is the terminal tight? I have seen batteries with the hole not deep enough and it would leave the cable lose.

 

no they just completely shut off and then when i turn the key to where its not turning the engine on its just for like radio and stuff nothin works like rolling the windows up and down so you think bad connection?

 

Maybe a bad connection some where or even ignition switch. You know those days of the batteries with the clamps and post. When there was a bad connection there it would throw a spark and then nothing until either the key was shut off and on again or some one wriggled the clamp.
You might want to look at the ignition switch and at least see if it looks burned or wires melted or gotten hot.

 

alright thank you

 

Check your ground cable, from the battery to the engine. And the ground from the engine to the frame. Or yours might even go directly from battery to frame. A bad battery ground that isn't making it's way to the frame will give symptoms just like you're experiencing.

 

I went though something similar and my problem was the battery cables not connecting properly. I have the old clamp style terminals, and the clamp was screwed over. I had to fiddle with the cables while someone else turned over the motor until it started and could run off the alternator. Everything else worked fine it just would NOT start for anything til I messed with it.

Go figure, I also went through a bad ground on my truck as well. Basically the same symptoms in my case, but diferent cause. Check both. The ground, and make sure the cables are connecting properly. If you have the old clamps, the terminals may need cleaning, the get eroded after a while. Some baking soda in water will clean em up pretty well, or a terminal brush if they sell them anymore... Mine is a family heirloom.

 

yeah i figured it out in like one second once i actually looked at it the positive cable melted it was touching the headers