1978 impala wont start!?!?

Nov 16, 2005 3 Replies

the 78' impala didnt want to start so i tried to jump start the battery i noticed i put the wrong positive and negative cables on the wrong place. almost instantly i saw small electric shock and saw smoke arising from under the engine. ever since then the car wouldnt start but the headlights and rearlights work fine, its the starting the engine that doesnt work and the lights from inside the car that also dont work.


Any idea why the car wont start????



This ain't rocket science...the smoke should have given you a clue. You burnt something up.

Does the starter spin the engine over?

If So do you have Spark to the Spark Plugs?

A 1978 Impala does not have a CCC (computer controlled Carb) or ESC (Electronic Spark Control). It does have a HEI Distributor (High Energy Ignition) with a 4 pin Module, and the Ignition Coil in the distributor cap.

Just a guess, you either smoked the wire from the starter to the coil. Or the module in the distributor. If by some chance you have a late 78 and it does have CCC & ESC, I would convert it to Non-ESC & CCC. Charles

If the engine wont crank and you have everything else, lights heater fan, interior lights, you burnt out a fuseable link down by the starter.

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