1968 CDV Convertible wont start

[Finatillac]

Another finatillac and I took possession of a rather nice "barn find" 68 CDV convertible today.  The car started and drove right out, however when we got it home and shut it off, it would not restart.  No clicks or groans.  There seems to be plenty of electricity flowing in the car.  Does this car have a nuetral safety switch that could be causing a problem? Or does this sound like the starter has given up the ghost.  Any insight would be appreciated.

Birmingham Finatillac
Jeffrey Klinner, CLC 19116

57 Eldorado Brougham
68 CDV Convertible
91 Brougham d'elegance

[homeonprunehill]

Another finatillac and I took possession of a rather nice "barn find" 68 CDV convertible today.  The car started and drove right out, however when we got it home and shut it off, it would not restart.  No clicks or groans.  There seems to be plenty of electricity flowing in the car.  Does this car have a nuetral safety switch that could be causing a problem? Or does this sound like the starter has given up the ghost.  Any insight would be appreciated.

Birmingham Finatillac
Jeffrey Klinner, CLC 19116

57 Eldorado Brougham
68 CDV Convertible
91 Brougham d'elegance

06-04-08
Jeffrey, sounds like the "nuetral-safety-switch" requires attention, to me. Good Luck,JIM

[John Fotakis #23436]

Hi, when you say "plenty of electricity" what do you mean exactly? It would help narrow down the list of possible culprits to know where and what you are measuring.  Cheers, John

[grinch]

Try starting it in neutral, sometimes the contacts in that position are less worn.  Sometimes.  Be sure not to have anyone standing in the way when you start it.  Not the safest way to start it, without the parking pawls engaged.  Definitely engage the emergency brake if it isn't frozen.  Good luck.

[TJ Hopland]

If the park neutral switch is the same as the 73 and other GM cars it has a cast piece with the vacuum connections and clamp that goes around the steering column and then the plastic switch portion is held to the metal part with a couple of tiny cast tabs that seem to break easily.   I dont remember the details but when mine came apart I found an easy way to hold it together with nylon wire ties.

[James Maguire]

Another finatillac and I took possession of a rather nice "barn find" 68 CDV convertible today.  The car started and drove right out, however when we got it home and shut it off, it would not restart.  No clicks or groans.  There seems to be plenty of electricity flowing in the car.  Does this car have a nuetral safety switch that could be causing a problem? Or does this sound like the starter has given up the ghost.  Any insight would be appreciated.

Birmingham Finatillac
Jeffrey Klinner, CLC 19116

57 Eldorado Brougham
68 CDV Convertible
91 Brougham d'elegance

Yes, you have a neutral safety switch. Sometimes they just get a bit out of adjustment. Try smaking your gear selector towards park just before you start - sometimes a little jostle is all they need. You can find them quite commonly on ebay.