My 1980 350 corvette won't start. Can you, the people of fluther, help me?

Asked by w2pow2 (490

) August 25th, 2009

1980 350 corvette. And I don’t know ANYTHING about cars.
I turn the key and it doesn’t even try to turn over. Doesn’t make a sound, doesn’t do ANYTHING. All signs point to battery failure, but I’m not sure. Is there any way to diagnose this? If it is the battery then what can I do? Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

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8 Answers

Sounds like the battery to me. When did it start last?

PerryDolia (3481

)“Great Answer” (1

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Try putting a trickle charger on the battery, or better yet, get a jump start from someone and see if it turns over. If not, you may have a less tractable electrical problem. If it does, buy yourself a nice™ battery at NAPA.

dpworkin (27085

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I got a jump start from one of my friends not too long ago. It started fine.

w2pow2 (490

)“Great Answer” (0

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Buy a battery. While you’re at it, check the cables and wire-brush the terminals.

dpworkin (27085

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Thanks everyone! Everyone meaning @pdworkin and @PerryDolia and most of the credit to pdworkin!