Not an F-body, but close

[Iceslim0]

My buddy has a 1973 Green AMC Hornet Fastback. It's fricken awesome. It's the only one I've ever seen before. He's had some problems with starting it now.

When you turn the key, nothing happens AT ALL.

I tapped the starter (which is new) hooked it up to a new battery and checked all the fuses and relays. I also looked around for any wires or anything that looked like they may have been burned or bad and I couldn't find anything.

It almost seems like the key turn is not getting to the starter, but this other guy keeps saying that the alternator is dead. I was thinking that if the alternator was bad than the starter would at least try to engage since it runs off the battery.

Any help?

[wolfdogs]

My buddy has a 1973 Green AMC Hornet Fastback. It's fricken awesome. It's the only one I've ever seen before. He's had some problems with starting it now.

When you turn the key, nothing happens AT ALL.

I tapped the starter (which is new) hooked it up to a new battery and checked all the fuses and relays. I also looked around for any wires or anything that looked like they may have been burned or bad and I couldn't find anything.

It almost seems like the key turn is not getting to the starter, but this other guy keeps saying that the alternator is dead. I was thinking that if the alternator was bad than the starter would at least try to engage since it runs off the battery.

Any help?

ignition switch. if the battery is charged the starter will engage......

[fastTa]

My buddy has a 1973 Green AMC Hornet Fastback. It's fricken awesome. It's the only one I've ever seen before. He's had some problems with starting it now.

When you turn the key, nothing happens AT ALL.

I tapped the starter (which is new) hooked it up to a new battery and checked all the fuses and relays. I also looked around for any wires or anything that looked like they may have been burned or bad and I couldn't find anything.

It almost seems like the key turn is not getting to the starter, but this other guy keeps saying that the alternator is dead. I was thinking that if the alternator was bad than the starter would at least try to engage since it runs off the battery.

Any help?

The sole purpose of the alternator is to keep the battery charged. It will temporarily run the electronics of the car if the battery is disconnected, but the alternator is not designed to do that. If the battery is good, the starter should work.

There is something wrong between the ignition lock cylinder and the starter relay and/or starter solenoid. You just need to start ruling things out.

Does turning the key to "ON" power up the ignition and/or dash lights?

[Iceslim0]

No turning the key on does absolutely nothing, and the head lights don't work either. I've ruled out the alternator and battery and starter so I think.

[ConElite]

No turning the key on does absolutely nothing, and the head lights don't work either. I've ruled out the alternator and battery and starter so I think.

If the head lights dont work then it has to be the battery. How about the horn. But either way if the head lights dont light its the battery.

[Iceslim0]

Could it be a battery cable at all??? Cuz I took the batter out of my TA and put it in there and it wasn't working.

[vee8]

couple of things to rule out also. have you checked your grounds? a faulty ground will do exactly what your's does. also, i'm not sure as i don't remember but does that car have a fusable link? could be mounted on the rear firewall. check the ground first tho.

[Iceslim0]

Alright I will check the ground. I'm just puzzled cuz it was running earlier last week. Would I just follow the ground wire to the body off the battery?

His battery wires are disgusting and covered in that white chunky stuff, I almost did want to hook it up to mine

And what's a fusable link?

[fastTa]

Could it be a battery cable at all??? Cuz I took the batter out of my TA and put it in there and it wasn't working.

Yes, it could be either the positive(+) or negative(-) cables and/or connections. If they are full of the the white "crud", then there is a good chance it needs some new cables.

[Z Ya Later]

Yes, it could be either the positive(+) or negative(-) cables and/or connections. If they are full of the the white "crud", then there is a good chance it needs some new cables.

Agreed. There are some cases of corrosion (the white "crud" as Kev so eleqeuntly put it lol) building up inside the insolation but not being visible without cutting open the cable. It wouldn't hurt to pick up a new set of cables and see if that fixes it. Worst case, your buddy has an extra set of cables...which is never a bad thing to have.

[Iceslim0]

Alright I will give these things a try. I'm just tryin to save him some money by not having to get it towed to the shop.

I'll let you guys know if anything happens.