Just Got My Opel Back, Won't Crank Over

['73OpelGT]

okay so I got my opel from chicago on thursday and now I am in the process of getting the engine running, I replaced the thermostat/gasket,air filter, fuel filter, and rebuilt the fuel lines. Now knowing the battery was no good I tried jumping it and I still got a no start. Now I am thinking it is the starter. There isnt even a click out of the starter. With that being said how can I verify that this is the problem.

[BQS4]

first does the motor turn over by hand? A 19mm wrench on the crank pulley bolt will confirm this. If it does turn over, then I would look at the starter

[First opel 1981]

okay so I got my opel from chicago on thursday and now I am in the process of getting the engine running, I replaced the thermostat/gasket,air filter, fuel filter, and rebuilt the fuel lines. Now knowing the battery was no good I tried jumping it and I still got a no start. Now I am thinking it is the starter. There isnt even a click out of the starter. With that being said how can I verify that this is the problem.

To do a simple test on the starter is easy.
All you have to do is jump between the main starter cable and the blade connection on the side of the solenoid furthest from the engine.
If the starter doesn't make any noise, then make sure the positive cable is hot (has power to it)
If the positive cable is hot, then it would be the solenoid (as long as the starter makes NO noise).
If the starter clicks but doesn't spin, then the solenoid is working but that doesn't guarantee the solenoid is good. At that point you will want to have someone rebuild your starter or just replace it.

[ungermm]

A couple things to check.
If you battery is really bad, jumping it might not even be enough to get the car started. It might be better to put a good battery in and check for good connections from the positive terminal to the starter and the negative terminal to the frame and block.
I assume that when you turn the key to the on position the dash board comes to life and you have power. Although, I think I remember that the wires (one red and one red/white) behind the alternator gauge can cause a non-crank situation if their connections have deteriorated.
Ditto on the simple test on the starter as posted by FirstOpel1981.
That probably would be the first thing I would check if the engine turns by sticking it in gear and rocking the car back and forth.
Then there is always the common problem of a bad ignition switch.
Jerry

['73OpelGT]

at the moment I have a bmw steering column in it that is wired together correctly so I am fairly confident it isnt the ignition switch. I will try all other methods though. The battery I was given was completely dead so maybe I will pull the battery out of my audi and try it.

['73OpelGT]

now this seems very wrong to me but I will run it by you guys to see. The dashboard is not in the car. I have it in my room I just need to connect it. Can it be that the engine wont turn because of this. This is what I heard, however it sounded alittle ridiculous to me but I decided to run it by you guys, maybe there is something I dont know.

[First opel 1981]

now this seems very wrong to me but I will run it by you guys to see. The dashboard is not in the car. I have it in my room I just need to connect it. Can it be that the engine wont turn because of this. This is what I heard, however it sounded alittle ridiculous to me but I decided to run it by you guys, maybe there is something I dont know.

If you look at any wiring diagram, you would see that the dash needs to be connected to the fuse box for the electrical system to function.

I assume, of course, that the gauges are still in the dash bezel and were disconnected from the fuse box.

[SteveGT]

Hey 73 just did what you are trying last week, my gauge panel was out of the car and nothing no clicks or anything...found out the two wires behind the gauge panel...one red with white stripe and one solid red have to be connected to an amp gauge...I had a spare one laying around, connected the two wires to the gauge and she fired right up

SteveG

[tekenaar]

now this seems very wrong to me but I will run it by you guys to see. The dashboard is not in the car. I have it in my room I just need to connect it. Can it be that the engine wont turn because of this. This is what I heard, however it sounded alittle ridiculous to me but I decided to run it by you guys, maybe there is something I dont know.

. . . ALL accessories electrical power goes through and is measured - i.e. charge/discharge - by them! . . . ergo, must be in electrical circuit for ANYTHING to function.

['73OpelGT]

okay so as with my prior problem(sorry I couldnt find my previous thread) I am curoius as to how to post pics so as to maybe clear up my problem and make it easier for u to understand. I believe I have my wires right now but want to verify.

[timemachine]

When you hit reply, on the toolbar you'll see a paperclip. Click that and you'll see attachment options and limits.

You should really find your original thread to keep things in order. You can search your user name and "threads started by."

[First opel 1981]

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['73OpelGT]

I reconnected the red and white striped wires as well as the red wires. And tried cranking and still got nothing. I did however notice a red and white striped wrie under the hood that had been cut but I couldnt find its mate so I will post pics of both let me know what u guys think.

[BQS4]

Those wires run to the amp guage. They must make a complete circuit for the car to start. The one under the hood has to be connected. Check the FSM wiring diagram.

['73OpelGT]

fsm wiring diagram????? Where that will help me tons.

[BQS4]

Opel File Downloads - The Classic Opel Forums

[kwilford]

okay so as with my prior problem(sorry I couldnt find my previous thread) I am curoius as to how to post pics so as to maybe clear up my problem and make it easier for u to understand. I believe I have my wires right now but want to verify.

When you hit reply, on the toolbar you'll see a paperclip. Click that and you'll see attachment options and limits.

You should really find your original thread to keep things in order. You can search your user name and "threads started by."

Moderators Note: Threads merged

['73OpelGT]

okay so I have reconnected all electrical connections and found that the wire in this pic is no connected to anything in the car but a ground. However, looking at the starting system diagram this wire plays no role in the starting system at all. So at the moment I am unconcerned with it. I tried turning the car over again and didnt get anything. My next task is to make sure my battery is good then I am going to buy a voltmeter and test EVERYTHING. I will tell you what I wish I knew someone around me that had knowledge of these opels would be 100 times easier, though I do appreciate u guys input. It is really helpful.

[markandson]

Sounds like you have some major wiring problems in the car. I would not connect anything until you check where all the major wires are going, I mean the red and red/white ones. Just reconnecting them without knowing where the other end is could cause a fire if you wire up a direct short somehow. Get the VOM and start tracing things down. After you think you have those ammeter wires correct then turn the key and check for voltage at the starter connection.