1981 Electrical Help
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
1981 Electrical Help
Went out to start the 81 and NOTHING! All the lights, horn, radio, wipers work, just no starter. The battery is good. I got under the car to check out the starter ( starter is new) wiring and found that there are 2 fuseable links at the starter. One of which seems to be burned. The wire coming from the top of the engine to the white plastic piece had no insulation on it and the exposed copper wire is all green. On the other side of the white plastic piece there is insulation on the wire. I can't read or see any kind of markings on this thing. Can anyone tell me what size they are so I can go to my local auto parts store and get new ones?
I just had the car in for inspection yesterday, thank God it did not happen there. At least now I can fix it myself and save some money, I hope. Never ends! Thanks, and enjoy the long weekend.
I just had the car in for inspection yesterday, thank God it did not happen there. At least now I can fix it myself and save some money, I hope. Never ends! Thanks, and enjoy the long weekend.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,672
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
I think that the first thing you need to do is take the controller from the working wipers and send it to me. This should solve your problem 
Seriously, I think the fusible link is a pretty commong part. You should be able to get one at NAPA, Kragen, Pep Boys... One from any 70's to 80's Chev 350 will do.
Seriously, I think the fusible link is a pretty commong part. You should be able to get one at NAPA, Kragen, Pep Boys... One from any 70's to 80's Chev 350 will do.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
Thanks CA-Legal_Vette,
I got 3 fuseable links and replaced them this did not solve my problem. I checked all the wires I could see and gave them a little wiggle, this did not help either. I removed the battery and replaced it with a new one, this did not help. I took the starter out and took it Advance Auto Parts and they checked it, it was good. I reinstalled the starter and checked again, everything electrical works but the starter. I removed all the fuses one by one and and put them back and then the starter worked!
I got 3 fuseable links and replaced them this did not solve my problem. I checked all the wires I could see and gave them a little wiggle, this did not help either. I removed the battery and replaced it with a new one, this did not help. I took the starter out and took it Advance Auto Parts and they checked it, it was good. I reinstalled the starter and checked again, everything electrical works but the starter. I removed all the fuses one by one and and put them back and then the starter worked!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
I hate to say this, but I don't think you've seen the last of this...things don't go that far south then amazingly fix themselves...you might look for the actual culprit....something caused the dead system...
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
Originally Posted by kb2fzq
I hate to say this, but I don't think you've seen the last of this...things don't go that far south then amazingly fix themselves...you might look for the actual culprit....something caused the dead system...
it could leave you stuck,,,Peace & good luck Moosie 
