Car wont start
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville Texas
Car wont start
I currently have the complete dash out of my 69 and im trying restore it. In the middle of this project, i had to start the car to pull it back in the garage. it started right up and when i pulled the headlight switch, the car died. I tried to restart but got nothing, wouldnt even try to start. since i had some bare wires (bubba installed a radio) i assumed something probably touched a wire and blew a fuse but after checking, no blown fuses. I know pretty much nothing about electrical systems so im going to need help with this! I have a wire coming out of the fuse box that is plugged into the ignition slot that goes into the dash. its split with another connector coming off of it that has nothing plugged into it. Did something come undone while pulling on the dash? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I can take pictures of everything if anyone needs them.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville Texas
checked and its not blown either...i must not have something hooked up. do all of the connections need to be hooked up to the speedo/tach for it to start? right now the dash is still out. i dont want to chance tearing everything up if i put it all back together and it still doesnt start.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 71
From: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
The dash does not have to be in to start and nothing in it needs to be connected. Does the starter turn over or does it just not fire when you are cranking it?
What does need to be connected in order to turn over is the clutch safety switch if it is a 4 speed or the Neutral safety switch if it is an automatic. Neither should have been effected by turning the lights on.
What does need to be connected in order to turn over is the clutch safety switch if it is a 4 speed or the Neutral safety switch if it is an automatic. Neither should have been effected by turning the lights on.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville Texas
not sure what happened but it starts now. I kept pupmping the clutch and it finally turned over. maybe the neutral switch wasnt engaging. still doesnt explain why it died when i turned the lights on though...
thanks for the help guys!
thanks for the help guys!
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: North of Boston Ma
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville Texas
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville Texas
I checked the alternator and the hot wire came loose. I replaced it and it started right up.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville Texas
The car is running again...now im trying to install the dash and i can seem to figure out which connectors go to which plugs 
Does anyone have pics or a diagram showing where everything goes? if all else fails, Im going to set it on fire! JK
thanks for all the help so far, Im almost out of the woods!!
Lets make it easy and start with the drivers side lower dash first...
on the back of the dash (speedo) it looks like i have a connection for a ground and for the wire that comes from the buzzer. on the back of the dash (tach) it looks like i have a connection for a ground and for something that goes to a transistor. The problem is that I can't seem to find that many wires under the dash. I have the wire that plugs into the buzzer and bridges off to go to the back of the speedo and I also have 2 wires with connectors on them. Am I missing something or do both "grounds" on the back not need to be used? Is this making any sense?
Does anyone have pics or a diagram showing where everything goes? if all else fails, Im going to set it on fire! JK
thanks for all the help so far, Im almost out of the woods!!
Lets make it easy and start with the drivers side lower dash first...
on the back of the dash (speedo) it looks like i have a connection for a ground and for the wire that comes from the buzzer. on the back of the dash (tach) it looks like i have a connection for a ground and for something that goes to a transistor. The problem is that I can't seem to find that many wires under the dash. I have the wire that plugs into the buzzer and bridges off to go to the back of the speedo and I also have 2 wires with connectors on them. Am I missing something or do both "grounds" on the back not need to be used? Is this making any sense?
Last edited by sharky69; Mar 14, 2010 at 10:51 PM.
