New Owner of 75 w/ Problems!!!!!!
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
New Owner of 75 w/ Problems!!!!!!
Just got my 1975 corvette. It needed a new starter - afterwards I took it around the block - it was previously owned by the police dept. and used as a D.A.R.E. vehicle. I was told that it was mostly sitting and was barely driven - though they had done buffed up the engine and tranny. Looks like they put duals on it too. Problem is that after parking it - it wouldn't start. Looked like the battery was weak. Looked up front and noticed one of the wires to the alternator was corroded and off a bit. While fixing it, it sparked once. That's where the trouble started. Now I'm not getting any juice - anywhere!! No lights, no interior lights, no crank, nothing!! Looked at all the fuses and they looked ok. I was told that there might be a fusible link to the starter that might be the culprit. There are also a lot of useless wires sticking out- most probably due to the police equipment, etc. used on the vehicle. Need your guys/gals help in getting this beauty roaring again!!!! Will try to put a few pics up asap.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,036
Likes: 2
From: Westfield Indiana
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: New Owner of 75 w/ Problems!!!!!! (MustangKiller)
Yikes. Electrical problems that start with a spark can be real fun to figure out. :rolleyes: If it started with a spark at the alternator, I would check all wires to/from the alternator and look for any fusible links or burns/breaks. If you don't have a meter, I suggest you buy one and learn how to use it. You can ohms check all wires in case there is a problem covered by the shielding. A book with electrical diagrams would be a big help too. Of course, if the cops added extra wires, it can't hurt to get rid of them, just make sure they don't go to something important. This is where the book will help. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,975
Likes: 1
From: Northwest Iowa
Re: New Owner of 75 w/ Problems!!!!!! (MustangKiller)
MustangKiller,
I have a 75 that is almost all original, at least in the wiring dept. If you need help telling which wires go where, what color of wire and how many wires, I will try to help you out. Just e-mail me some questions and I can e-mail pictures and advice.
Rich
I have a 75 that is almost all original, at least in the wiring dept. If you need help telling which wires go where, what color of wire and how many wires, I will try to help you out. Just e-mail me some questions and I can e-mail pictures and advice.
Rich
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,258
Likes: 1
From: Calif.
Re: New Owner of 75 w/ Problems!!!!!! (MustangKiller)
Whoa. 'Lec-tikal stuff is something that's kind of magical to me.
Every time I mess with it I seem to do something wrong and then all the smoke in the wires leaks out.
Every time I mess with it I seem to do something wrong and then all the smoke in the wires leaks out.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: phoenix az
Re: New Owner of 75 w/ Problems!!!!!! (MustangKiller)
I had this exact same problem. turned out to be the main power feed connector. Its an odd little connector down low on the fire wall near the column. two wires going into a connector and two comming out. I cant remember the colors. Look around and you'll find it. I suddenly lost power one day and was messing with the connector and everything came back on. Wiggled it around a bit and haven't had a problem since.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Re: New Owner of 75 w/ Problems!!!!!! (MustangKiller)
I guess I am not afraid to ask the stupid question, but did you check all of your fuses? Secondly, when you put a multimeter on the large gauge wire at the back of the alternator, do you have voltage?
Gary
Gary
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: New Owner of 75 w/ Problems!!!!!! (GaryS)
I did the exact same thing to my '69, there is a fuseable link on the big red wire that goes to the starter ( not the battery cable ). When mine went there was a big puff of smoke from the starter area :U
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: New Owner of 75 w/ Problems!!!!!! (MustangKiller)
Mustang -- Lesson #1 is not to attempt electrical troubleshooting/repairs with the negative battery cable connected. Sparks and arcs are No-Nos.
Lesson #2 -- it's possible your no start problem is not electrical but heat soak. Starter and solenoid are very close to that righthand exhaust. Check to see if the starter heat shield is under there. Lots of folks like to leave that item off after making starter repairs.
Remember, Shark drivers wave!!! :flag :flag :flag
Lesson #2 -- it's possible your no start problem is not electrical but heat soak. Starter and solenoid are very close to that righthand exhaust. Check to see if the starter heat shield is under there. Lots of folks like to leave that item off after making starter repairs.
Remember, Shark drivers wave!!! :flag :flag :flag
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 334
Likes: 1
From: Averill Park N.Y.
Re: New Owner of 75 w/ Problems!!!!!! (MustangKiller)
I had a similar problem on my '74.
It turned out to be what I'll call a "junction block" located just under the
drivers side fender, near the windshield washer tank. Its a little hard to see. It should have 4 or 5 wires connecting to it. On mine the plastic was melted and the wires were badly corroded. Cleaned the wires and replace the juncion block. Problem solved! :flag
It turned out to be what I'll call a "junction block" located just under the
drivers side fender, near the windshield washer tank. Its a little hard to see. It should have 4 or 5 wires connecting to it. On mine the plastic was melted and the wires were badly corroded. Cleaned the wires and replace the juncion block. Problem solved! :flag