starter problem 79SC
 

Two days ago I turned the ignition key to the on position. The fuel pump hummed and all accessories came on. Twisted it a little farther to crank the engine and nothing.
It did this once early last summer but finally started so I just kept turning the key to start position until it started.
This morning turned the key fuel pump hummed all accessories came on. Twisted it to start nothing. Kept turning the key to start position and nothing. Had to take the Olds to work, how embarrassing.
Is it the solenoid or maybe the ignition switch? When the key is in the start position there is a big drain on the system so it appears that the solenoid is trying to do something. However, there is no clicking sound that might tell me that the solenoid is attempting to engage the starter.
I have a starter from my 70 will it fit into the 79?

I'd do a search on this on as it has been covered on the board probably more than once. I had a dead starter and found the contacts to be dirty. You may want to get your car up on ramps and check that out.

Regards,
Reg

My starter (thread about two weeks ago) turned out to be bad connections. Clean the earths from the tranny to the body particuarly well, clean the battery connections and the ones to the starter itself. Mine was strange as it was very slow to turn the engine over when it was hot.

I have a used starter from my '83 SC you could have cheap. Not sure what a used starter is worth, but let me know if you have interest.

You need to check all the contacts and clean them and your battery voltage. If that aint it, remove the starter and have it bench tested. I had the exact same problem & it was the solenoid.