Electrical Problem (help)!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn Michigan
Electrical Problem (help)!!
It's me Tod again. Background: Just bought a 65 coupe about a month agao, drove three or four times, it ran and started great, never a problem, parked it in garage for about three weeks. Went out yesterday and no dome lights and car would not turn over. I checked old battery with a volt meter and it read 13v. But, I bought a new battery anyway and installed it in car. Still nothing, no dome light and car won't even turn over, completley dead! However, when I put the battery charger on for about 10 minutes, everything worked fine again, I could even start car.
Took altenator in to parts store, thought maybe that was bad, guy checked it and it was good. What now??!! I am panicking, I have a $30,000+ car that I am making payments on that I can't get to start. Help!! I am not that good with wiring problems. Also, when I put battery charger back on, now nothing happens. I am just sick about this. My life long dream of owning a car like this is turning into a nightmare. I expect small problems, but this?? Please help guys.
Took altenator in to parts store, thought maybe that was bad, guy checked it and it was good. What now??!! I am panicking, I have a $30,000+ car that I am making payments on that I can't get to start. Help!! I am not that good with wiring problems. Also, when I put battery charger back on, now nothing happens. I am just sick about this. My life long dream of owning a car like this is turning into a nightmare. I expect small problems, but this?? Please help guys.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,489
Likes: 32
From: New Smyrna Beach FL
Check the connections at the horn relayon the driver's side of the radiator support. Also, check the connectors under the master cylinder on the firewall.
Let us know what you find. Soemthing is loose.
Let us know what you find. Soemthing is loose.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn Michigan
Thank you Bob!! RE: Electrical Problem (help)
Bob
You were right, I first checked under the master cylinder and there was a fuse. I don't know if the previous owner added it or not (it was the new flat style fuse), but it was loose. As soon as I pushed it in and tightend the rubber cap, the dome light came on. Sure enough, the car fired right up. I went to get gas and drove it for about a half an hour. I was worried at the gas station that the car might not start, but it did with no hesitation at all.
Bob, thanks a million. I was really freaking out and figured that I would have to spend a ton of money. Hope I can help others the way you helped me tonight. By the way, I recieved my copy of Noland Adams Tech. Guide II 63-67. Very interesting reading. I am currently tracking all the numbers on my car, will post results when finished. Thanks again.
Tod
You were right, I first checked under the master cylinder and there was a fuse. I don't know if the previous owner added it or not (it was the new flat style fuse), but it was loose. As soon as I pushed it in and tightend the rubber cap, the dome light came on. Sure enough, the car fired right up. I went to get gas and drove it for about a half an hour. I was worried at the gas station that the car might not start, but it did with no hesitation at all.
Bob, thanks a million. I was really freaking out and figured that I would have to spend a ton of money. Hope I can help others the way you helped me tonight. By the way, I recieved my copy of Noland Adams Tech. Guide II 63-67. Very interesting reading. I am currently tracking all the numbers on my car, will post results when finished. Thanks again.
Tod
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 315
From: Belmont Michigan
Tod
I would also recommend installing a top post battery switch. I have one on each of my old cars. Then you don't have current running to 40 year old wiring 24/7. Gives me peace of mind. Not only do I shut off the battery after I get a car home, I'll even do it when I get to a show, etc. It's a little bit of an anti- theft device, too.
Dick
I would also recommend installing a top post battery switch. I have one on each of my old cars. Then you don't have current running to 40 year old wiring 24/7. Gives me peace of mind. Not only do I shut off the battery after I get a car home, I'll even do it when I get to a show, etc. It's a little bit of an anti- theft device, too.
Dick
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn Michigan
Electrical proble (help)
Thanks for all of the information. I checked the car this morning and it is just fine
I will purchase a top mount battery switch just for safety reasons. Thanks again.
I will purchase a top mount battery switch just for safety reasons. Thanks again.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Massillon Ohio
Hang in there Tod. I spent the entire summer suffering through one problem after another in my 64 vert, including having to replace the original ignition switch and engine ignition wiring harness. Nothing more frustrating than getting a car "fixed" and then having it take a crap on you five minutes later. Put in the new wiring harness, the starter takes a crap. Get that fixed, fuel pump splits and takes a crap. Get that fixed, the radiator cap seal breaks and the car almost overheats. Get that taken care of, the rear wheel bearing on the driver's side goes out and melts into the spindle while I'm driving the car! Tire is ruined in the process. Get that fixed, fuse to the brake lights and courtesy lights keeps blowing from a short to ground. Finally track that down, and now she's running strong, only its the end of the cruisin' season.
Oh well. Sh** happens when you drive a 40-year-old car!
Oh well. Sh** happens when you drive a 40-year-old car!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn Michigan
Electrical Problem (help)
MF64VETTE;
Your right about two things; sh** happens and when we are driving 40 year old cars, things are bound to happen. However, we still love these old cars, especially on a bright sunny fall day. Thanks for your input, I guess it helps to know that there are others out there who have similiar problems; thank god for this site!
Tod
Your right about two things; sh** happens and when we are driving 40 year old cars, things are bound to happen. However, we still love these old cars, especially on a bright sunny fall day. Thanks for your input, I guess it helps to know that there are others out there who have similiar problems; thank god for this site!
Tod