electrical problem?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 56
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From: Dallas Texas
electrical problem?
so i get to go pick up my vette after the new engine install. immediate problems. first, the battery now dies, instantly. if you let it sit for a day, it is dead. there was no problem ever before, what could the installer possibly have done od disconnected while taking out one engine and putting in another that would cause an electrical problem? also, after jumping the 2nd new battery, a 50 mile drive to the body shop did not charge the battery. i am insanely frustrated, the mechanic has no idea. the alternator is also new, the entire engine is. HELP please before i push this car off a cliff, greg
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Bet odds what is happening is he got a black ground wire with a 3/8 loop on the battery post...i'ts a black plastic ground wire feeding the frames of the heater motor, and the wsw motor, and high speed blower relay....so what is happening is everything is going to 12 volts on the frames, and drawing current all the time......
very common problem, I consider it a wiring error on GM's part that wire belongs under a tranny/starter bolt at engine ground potential....
ME, I rewired it to the top of my intake manifold on a spare bolt hole....eliminates the problem....
very common problem, I consider it a wiring error on GM's part that wire belongs under a tranny/starter bolt at engine ground potential....
ME, I rewired it to the top of my intake manifold on a spare bolt hole....eliminates the problem....
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Impossible to change engine without messing with this wire....it's tied to the starter or bellhousing, in a stock wired car....
easy to confuse, as it' same diameter tab as the battery post on starter.....
only two wires under that post, one is the nearly 1/2 inch diameter battery cable, the second is usually cloth covered and/or has a fusible link going to the main wiring harness.....it is NOT black plastic....like this ground wire I"m referring to....
easy to confuse, as it' same diameter tab as the battery post on starter.....
only two wires under that post, one is the nearly 1/2 inch diameter battery cable, the second is usually cloth covered and/or has a fusible link going to the main wiring harness.....it is NOT black plastic....like this ground wire I"m referring to....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
what i meant was, since i dont have the info that you do, could you describe how to tell him what is wrong. i gather there are two wires, one from the battery negative and a second. did he connect wires where they werent supposed to go? sorry i am not following, this is new to me. we all have our areas of expertise. thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
what i meant was, since i dont have the info that you do, could you describe how to tell him what is wrong. i gather there are two wires, one from the battery negative and a second. did he connect wires where they werent supposed to go? sorry i am not following, this is new to me. we all have our areas of expertise. thanks
Start with this. Disconnect the positive battery cable. Charge the battery. Connect a 12 volt light between the batt + term and the cable. If the light burns, current is flowing, and you have a drain somewhere. Next go to the starter and disconnect the wires. Light should go out. Reconnect the batt cable to the starter, check light, etc. Work downstream till you find the path this current is traveling.
If you have a modern radio, pull that fuse untill you finish the test. It has a hot wire to save stations when you are off. It is milliamps. da nada.
This is kind of jungle method, but works. Let us know what you find, and we will zero in.
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 56
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From: Dallas Texas
thanks, i'll tell him. this is a great guy that builds great engines. he does not do installs normally, and did it as a favor to me. this is the first vette he has ever worked on and probably the last . thanks, greg
Le Mans Master
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
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I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT HAS TO BE FIXED; THEREALFIRECHIEF, DON'T FEEL ALONE ON THIS ONE. THANKS BIG2BIRD FOR THE VALUABLE INSIGHT, MAYBE THAT IS MY PROBLEM AS WELL (AFTER I PURCHASED NEW BATTERY JUST TO WATCH THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO IT
TIRED OF LEAVING IT DISCONNECTED BETWEEN STARTS....
TIRED OF LEAVING IT DISCONNECTED BETWEEN STARTS....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
Impossible to change engine without messing with this wire....it's tied to the starter or bellhousing, in a stock wired car....
easy to confuse, as it' same diameter tab as the battery post on starter.....
only two wires under that post, one is the nearly 1/2 inch diameter battery cable, the second is usually cloth covered and/or has a fusible link going to the main wiring harness.....it is NOT black plastic....like this ground wire I"m referring to....
easy to confuse, as it' same diameter tab as the battery post on starter.....
only two wires under that post, one is the nearly 1/2 inch diameter battery cable, the second is usually cloth covered and/or has a fusible link going to the main wiring harness.....it is NOT black plastic....like this ground wire I"m referring to....