65 Skylark wont start

[65 Buick Ben]

I have a 65 Buick Skylark 8cyl 4brl. turn the key nothing happens, tried to jump start nothing happens so I tried a few things. I replaced the starter solenoid and also the voltage regulator, well sort of, as I went to chnage the voltage regulator I found out the car does not have one. The person who had it before did not hook up the voltage regulator!! I have wires hanging where it should be, but the car ran!! I did not think the car could run without it, can you?
What should I do, it ran with out it? also can it be the ignition switch?

 

[LARRY70GS]

I have a 65 Buick Skylark 8cyl 4brl. turn the key nothing happens, tried to jump start nothing happens so I tried a few things. I replaced the starter solenoid and also the voltage regulator, well sort of, as I went to chnage the voltage regulator I found out the car does not have one. The person who had it before did not hook up the voltage regulator!! I have wires hanging where it should be, but the car ran!! I did not think the car could run without it, can you?
What should I do, it ran with out it? also can it be the ignition switch?

First, you have a "won't crank" problem, not a won't start. Nine times out of ten, that is a connection problem. Loose or dirty connections at the battery, or starter motor. Second, make sure the battery is fully charged. It may be completely dead, and a jump won't do it. The person who had it before may have converted to an internally regulated alternator. When that is done, there is a jumper wire installed in the harness connector to the external regulator. The 2 wire plug that goes into the alternator is different. The plug for the externally regulated alternator plugs into the back of the alternator. The plug for the internally regulated alternator is thinner, and plugs into the top of the alternator.

 

[The Roadmaster]

I have a 65 Buick Skylark 8cyl 4brl. turn the key nothing happens, tried to jump start nothing happens so I tried a few things. I replaced the starter solenoid and also the voltage regulator, well sort of, as I went to chnage the voltage regulator I found out the car does not have one. The person who had it before did not hook up the voltage regulator!! I have wires hanging where it should be, but the car ran!! I did not think the car could run without it, can you?
What should I do, it ran with out it? also can it be the ignition switch?

Auto or manual transmission? Neutral safety switch may be the issue.

The good old days. Had to replace it on my 67 Tempest 326/Auto back in the day.

 

[65 Buick Ben]

the car is an automatic, and so far I have changed the Starter Solenoid, the ignition switch and the ignition cylinder lock. I will have to the things you guys posted. When the key turns there is absolutely nothing, kind of like if nothing was hooked up. the idea of a switch that will not let the car start in gear sounds like i need to check that.
Thanks for the replies

 

[LARRY70GS]

the car is an automatic, and so far I have changed the Starter Solenoid, the ignition switch and the ignition cylinder lock. I will have to the things you guys posted. When the key turns there is absolutely nothing, kind of like if nothing was hooked up. the idea of a switch that will not let the car start in gear sounds like i need to check that.
Thanks for the replies

Do the lights on the dash work? Do you have power to the rest of the car?

 

[65 Buick Ben]

yes the dash lights, head lights and wipers work. Its just when i turn the key to start i get nothing. I have checked all connections and the grounds to make sure we have good contact. Not sure what is left to check

 

[trlbzrss]

I think I would check the "fuse links" that connect at the starter. IIRC there are at least two and if the one for the starter circuit is blown or burned out you won't have any power but could have power elsewhere. You could run a jumper from the solenoid purple wire to the main power from the battery to the starter and see if it will crank. If not you're not getting 12v to the solenoid.

 

[68Wildcat]

I would take a voltmeter at trace the power to see where it's lost. If you don't already have it, you should try and get a hold of a chassis service manual for the car. I've got one for my 68 and it has all the wiring listed in it (much simpler than today's cars!). It won't list any modifications like internally regulated alternator or HEI, but it'll probably be fine for most of the car. you can then trace the power back from the starter on the diagrams.

 

[LARRY70GS]

At the starter solenoid, you have one big connection. The + battery cable, and the 2 main power feed wires go there. Then there are 2 smaller connections. You have one connection at each of these. One wire is purple, and the other is yellow.. The purple wire should show battery voltage when the key is turned to crank. If it doesn't, you are losing voltage somewhere up stream of that wire. If you have voltage there, and the other connections are clean and tight, then the starter motor and/or solenoid are faulty. You can even short between the purple wire terminal and the positive battery cable connection, and the starter should crank.