Intermittent Electrical Problem - HELP!!!
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Intermittent Electrical Problem - HELP!!!
My 1981 has an intermittent but regular electrical problem. It will start-up and run somewhat normally (although it has been running a bit rough lately), then after about 10 minutes the entire electrical system inside the car shuts down. What's interesting is how the hood lamp will illuminate along with the headlights, but everything else is dead. Once the car sits for a while everything returns back to normal and the car starts-up again, only to have it shut down again.
Does anyone have any ideas what is going on? I am very handy and could probably fix the problem if it's simple enough. Thank you!
Does anyone have any ideas what is going on? I am very handy and could probably fix the problem if it's simple enough. Thank you!
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: New Port Richey FL.
It might be your ignition switch, it is possible that it is grounding out. It wouldn't effect your headlights or hoodlight, they're on another switch. Your engine and accessories run to the ignition switch.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Intermittent Electrical Problem - HELP!!!
I think it is more than checking the grounds. This morning the car ran great in my driveway, but yesterday I had to have it towed home. Are there any relays that may cause this problem?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by Stephen81C3
I think it is more than checking the grounds. This morning the car ran great in my driveway, but yesterday I had to have it towed home. Are there any relays that may cause this problem?
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Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Intermittent Electrical Problem - HELP!!!
Tell me more about the solenoid spring. Does the electrical symtoms sound the same (i.e. the interior lights. etc. being out)? Where is this solenoid spring and is it easy to replace?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
The solenoid I'm refering to is on the starter .What is confusing a bit is your interior lights.Does your Vette always start cold ? If that is the case,then you run it and it gets warm,then shut down,and not crank,I would suspect that spring.The solenoid engages with the flywheel,but sometimes these springs go bad....
Rich
Rich
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Originally Posted by rihwoods
The solenoid I'm refering to is on the starter .What is confusing a bit is your interior lights.Does your Vette always start cold ? If that is the case,then you run it and it gets warm,then shut down,and not crank,I would suspect that spring.The solenoid engages with the flywheel,but sometimes these springs go bad....
Rich
Rich
check the center bolt in the wiring harness plug under the brake booster on the firewall, that sometimes gets loose, and causes crap...maybe want to pull the connector all the way off, and take a look at it for corrosiion...there is lotsa heavy dark brown grease on it from the factory....this plugs into the back of the fuse block in some convoluted wiring harness, frankly I allways thought this harnesses in this vintage GM cars has been a PIA since new....
GENE
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by mrvette
Rich, way I read his note, the car would die, so that spring has nothing to do with it....not dieing anyway....
check the center bolt in the wiring harness plug under the brake booster on the firewall, that sometimes gets loose, and causes crap...maybe want to pull the connector all the way off, and take a look at it for corrosiion...there is lotsa heavy dark brown grease on it from the factory....this plugs into the back of the fuse block in some convoluted wiring harness, frankly I allways thought this harnesses in this vintage GM cars has been a PIA since new....
GENE
check the center bolt in the wiring harness plug under the brake booster on the firewall, that sometimes gets loose, and causes crap...maybe want to pull the connector all the way off, and take a look at it for corrosiion...there is lotsa heavy dark brown grease on it from the factory....this plugs into the back of the fuse block in some convoluted wiring harness, frankly I allways thought this harnesses in this vintage GM cars has been a PIA since new....
GENE
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 10
From: Sault Ste Marie Ontario
Originally Posted by G dad
Check all your grounds...That is a good place to start.
