problem 76 - Where are the grounds?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
problem 76 - Where are the grounds?
trying to get this 76 electrical working, currently no ACC no headlights or cranking. Im goign to do more tests tomorrow, all the fuses ohmed to zero. Theres a new ground from the chassis to the engine block but i dont see any grounds anywhere on this car, interior , exterior....where are they! Also, isnt there something that can fry besides the fusable links, something in the headlight switch or main power something breaker, i dont know... any help appreciated. Ps. i have been studying a wiring diagram recently but need to know where to start. Thanks in advance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Im going through the same situation, a few weeks ago I was adjusting the timing on my vette and the car stopped running and the electric choke wire insulation burned like a lit fuse. The electric choke wire was soldered to the HEI power feed wire! I also found that I had crushed the electric choke wire between the dizzy hold down and the intake manifold. Now how is this somewhat like to what you're experiencing? I have no headlights, power windows, parking lights, back up lights, no gauge lights or lights to the instrument panel, and the map light. The vehicle will not start. I have power to all fuses but like you, no accessories. I found that the fuse link insulation on one of the links had burned off. Did you check your fuse links located by the starter? The light switch has a circuit breaker in it. Check the circuit breakers on the fuse panel. Others will chime in soon, and I will let you know how I'm doing and I will also be watching your situation as well. Gook luck.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 123
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there are no fusable links on my starter, someone must have hacked them off and rewired it. I have continuity from ACC connector all the way to before the fusebox so its not that. All the fuses ohmed to zero and i only found 1 circuit breaker on the fuzebox, ohmed it and it went to Zero... where are the other circuit breakers? Theres a main breaker in the headlight switch? Would that cause NOTHING to have power? thanks
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
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There is a short ground cable directly from the battery to the frame cross-member under the battery. A poor connection can cause many problems as false indicators that suggest a bad starter.
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There is a short ground cable directly from the battery to the frame cross-member under the battery. A poor connection can cause many problems as false indicators that suggest a bad starter.
.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Turn your OHM meter off because that only measures continuity not if you have power.Get a 12 volt test light or use a voltmeter and tell us which fuses have power.Start at the source,put your test light across the battery term,then from the pos term of the batt to the frame,now from frame to pos term of starter solenoid.Let us know.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
ok good news, did those tests... I now have power, lights/highbeams, taillights, blinkers all work... starter motor wont crank but i hooked to volt meter up to monitor the power going to the solenoid wire, it hits around 6.5 then slowly climbs up to 7.3 volts. I dont know if its my volt meter being junk or not or if the solenoids defected... how much power does the solenoid wire use? This also rules out the NSS being bad if i recall. Also is there supposed to be a black wire connected with the ACC wire on the starter? I connected it there last year when i first hooked everything up... but now im reading it might be the heater/wiper ground? thanks for the help...
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
That should mean your starter is good.Need to find out why the purple wont engage the starter solenoid.Ignition switch,neutral safety switch or a connection in between or the battery is low.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Has your vehicle started? My fuse link was burnt. Rep;aced starter extension harness and I regained all lights, accessories and my vehicle started up right away. Good luck, I'm watching and learning.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Phila. Pennsylvania
I had the same problem on my 74, it was the ground cable from the frame to the battery, it looked good but it was totally decaded inside the cable sheathing. It drove me nuts for weeks until i put a jumper cable from the battery negative terminal to the frame!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
the car has started before, its getting a new motor/trans as soon as the electrical system becomes tolerable. I've noticed there is no ground on any of the bellhousing bolts on the motor... i dont understand how anything on the interior is getting a ground. There is a skinny black wire that fits on the big starter terminal, i dont remember if i let it hang or put it back on the starter. How can i find out where this wire goes? Is it ok if i take pictures of wires to show you guys? Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
The ground wire for the starter is mounted the the underside of the passenger side engine mount at the frame and goes to the side of the block where the rear starter support bracket bolts.
It is a heavy cable just like on your battery.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
That is the one he's asking about , it is the black wire on the starter extension harness. I attatched my wire in that location this past Monday. I put it there because I had my ground wire on the starter mount bolt but moved it when I installed my new harness. I think noonie is talking about the big ground wire that most are not aware of because it is often left off.