C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Electrical Bulkhead Connector Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 9, 2008 | 05:37 PM
  #1  
RBRUTLEDGE's Avatar
RBRUTLEDGE
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
Default Electrical Bulkhead Connector Question

I am getting 12 volts from the starter to the bulkhead connector but not getting power to the fusebox at all. When I backfed the fusebox from the battery, everthing worked till I drove it around the block and shut it down. Now nothing but the horn works! I have taken the bulhead connector apart and checked both sides. All looks ok. Should I just plan on a re-wire??? Does anyone have any words of wisdom?
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2008 | 05:47 PM
  #2  
...Roger...'s Avatar
...Roger...
Race Director
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Default

You still have power to the horn,what year is the car?
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2008 | 07:41 PM
  #3  
RBRUTLEDGE's Avatar
RBRUTLEDGE
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
Default

1971
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2008 | 07:50 PM
  #4  
7T1vette's Avatar
7T1vette
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Default

Check your ground straps & cables. When you checked for 12vdc in the cockpit, you probably ran the (-) VOM wire to an "assumed" ground...and it showed no voltage. I doubt that the fuseblock is the problem; more likely a bad ground to the passenger compartment.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2008 | 08:02 PM
  #5  
...Roger...'s Avatar
...Roger...
Race Director
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Default

At the horn relay under the hood there are 2 fusible links-an orange one and a black one. Pull on the black one and see if it stretches or check both sides for power.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2008 | 08:28 PM
  #6  
RBRUTLEDGE's Avatar
RBRUTLEDGE
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
Default

Thanks for the quick response!

I made sure I had a good ground for my (-) VOM wire. When I first ran a hot wire directly from the battery to the fuseblock (bat) pin, everything worked including turn signals etc. and I drove the car around the block. When I shut it down everything except the horn quit working. Oh yea, and the interior lights still work with the door open.

Hers a little more history. I bought the car from my uncle last year. He had it since 78 and blew the engine in 95 where it sat until I bought it. I rebuilt the engines, suspension, brakes, everything except the wiring! When I went to start it initially I had no power anywhere in the fuseblock. That is why I backfed it from the battery to see if it made a difference. It did, at least for one trip around the block.

I am thinking about a re-wire but I cannot tell how the Engine harness and the front light harness separate from the outer bulkhead connector. I called Lectric Limited (harness manufacturer) and they told me to pry the 2 harnesses apart from the BH connector with a screwdriver. I am not sure if I want to do that.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2008 | 08:36 PM
  #7  
RBRUTLEDGE's Avatar
RBRUTLEDGE
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
Default

Thanks for the tip. I don't remember seeing any fusible links at the horn relay but, I will certainly check again. There were 2 links near the starter and I made sure both of them were good. I made sure I had 12 vdc going all the way into the bulkhead connector but have nothing coming out. I took apart the bh connector, looked at both side of it for burns or damage, and I took the fuse block off the inner bh connector and there was still no aparent damage. Any other thought? Thanks Again!
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2008 | 09:54 PM
  #8  
...Roger...'s Avatar
...Roger...
Race Director
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by RBRUTLEDGE
I don't remember seeing any fusible links at the horn relay but, I will certainly check again.
You could still have a grounding issue as 7T1 said but you said the horn works.Here is a pic showing the links at the horn relay.You should only have 1 link at the starter on a 71.If the black link burned I believe its possible the car could be run through the ammeter circuit until one of the orange fusible links burned.The horn would still work by the way.

Last edited by ...Roger...; Dec 9, 2008 at 09:57 PM.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 10, 2008 | 07:55 PM
  #9  
RBRUTLEDGE's Avatar
RBRUTLEDGE
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
Default

Thanks so much for the picture and info. I went out and looked and mine is just like the picture. I have not checked those links yet but I did check the one near the starter originally and it was fine. I was thinking there were 2 near the starter but I guess I had it backwards. I will check those 2 at the horn relay as soon as I get back out there.
You guys are the BEST!

Last edited by RBRUTLEDGE; Dec 10, 2008 at 08:03 PM.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Electrical Bulkhead Connector Question





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:52 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-1
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE