1978 124 not starting

[dfuehrer]

Hello everyone!
I suppose this has been asked 1000 times here, but I have no clue what to search under. A couple weeks ago I took my '78 124 on a longer road trip of a couple hundred miles or so. After I got home, my car wouldn't start! Dash lights work, radio comes on, no starter. I thought the battery might be the culprit. After installing a new battery, same thing.

6 Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

Don

[azruss]

Do you get a click. If the car has been starting fine and all of a sudden stopped. look at the harness plugged into the back of the key and make sure nothing is loose. Check the fuses. There is a small wire plugged into the starter solenoid and not connected to the 2 big lugs on the front. make sure that hasnt come loose.

[dfuehrer]

Hi azruss!

Thanks for the fast reply. No, no click. I don't believe the solenoid is engaging. After a long drive, loose connections would seem logical. I'll check your suggestions in the morning. Otherwise, from what I have researched, might be the starter itself. Hope not...

Don

[azruss]

The starters are pretty durable. The solenoid and the ignition switch are far more problematic. You can check the short wire that goes to the solenoid by seeing if it has 12v when the key is in the start position. You can also test the starter by making a long jumper wire with a spade connector on one end. unplug the small wire and plug the jumper in its place. now touch the jumper to the battery +. make sure the car is in neutral so you dont drive through your wall. This test bypasses the ignition switch and other switch connectors.