Lost power
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach, VA
Lost power
My power on my '71 is lost and so am I.
Recently, the battery was low because of no driving for quite a while. The alarm buzzer for the 'you-forgot-to-take-the-key-with-you' started sounding even though there was no key in the lock
. When I turned the key, the engine turned only a bit before it went completely dead. The battery is now recharged (showing 13,8 v), but everything is dead. No bulbs, gauges, lights or anything works. What could be wrong here? I checked the fuses underneath the steering wheel but they all look fine. Is something wrong inside the ignition lock?
I hope you guys can help me.
Thanks in advance.
Recently, the battery was low because of no driving for quite a while. The alarm buzzer for the 'you-forgot-to-take-the-key-with-you' started sounding even though there was no key in the lock
. When I turned the key, the engine turned only a bit before it went completely dead. The battery is now recharged (showing 13,8 v), but everything is dead. No bulbs, gauges, lights or anything works. What could be wrong here? I checked the fuses underneath the steering wheel but they all look fine. Is something wrong inside the ignition lock?I hope you guys can help me.
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by GR8DAIN; Jan 12, 2009 at 02:12 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Newfane NY
Was the car fine the last time you parked it?
Try checking the battery connections.
Start over and make sure they are clean and tight.
Check for battery voltage at the alternator to make sure connection is good. (large lug on alt)
If all else fails, have the battery tested at a local parts store, sometimes batteries can have voltage , and not enough amps.
Try checking the battery connections.
Start over and make sure they are clean and tight.
Check for battery voltage at the alternator to make sure connection is good. (large lug on alt)
If all else fails, have the battery tested at a local parts store, sometimes batteries can have voltage , and not enough amps.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
You are probably checking the battery voltage with everything turned off. If the battery has a very weak cell, it may show the normal voltage with no load. Check the battery voltage again with the parking lights or headlamps turned on. I'll bet it goes down to about 10 volts or less. If so, replace the battery.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach, VA
Okay, guys, status is:
The car was fine the last time I parked it and the voltage at the alternator is good.
Today, I hooked the Vette up with another car , which had its engine running but there is no power coming through to any lamp in the Vette - everything is completely dead even after 15 minutes.
Could the problem be inside the ignition lock? - I'm thinking of the buzzer that went crazy at a certain time.
The car was fine the last time I parked it and the voltage at the alternator is good.
Today, I hooked the Vette up with another car , which had its engine running but there is no power coming through to any lamp in the Vette - everything is completely dead even after 15 minutes.
Could the problem be inside the ignition lock? - I'm thinking of the buzzer that went crazy at a certain time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I'd bet on a bad/poor ground. Check the ground cable at the frame under the battery box, then the grounds between the frame and the engine at the right motor mount, then the black wire to the block (should be close to the starter). After that, it's time to go to the fusible links. there are 2 in the harness that goes to the starter, and possibly another one on the left fender close to the master cylinder.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Newfane NY
Okay, guys, status is:
The car was fine the last time I parked it and the voltage at the alternator is good.
Today, I hooked the Vette up with another car , which had its engine running but there is no power coming through to any lamp in the Vette - everything is completely dead even after 15 minutes.
Could the problem be inside the ignition lock? - I'm thinking of the buzzer that went crazy at a certain time.
The car was fine the last time I parked it and the voltage at the alternator is good.
Today, I hooked the Vette up with another car , which had its engine running but there is no power coming through to any lamp in the Vette - everything is completely dead even after 15 minutes.
Could the problem be inside the ignition lock? - I'm thinking of the buzzer that went crazy at a certain time.
The key tumbler works a relay rod to the ignition switch if I remember corectly.
Make sure it is working properly. You said the buzzer was not workig properly?? or quit working???
What happened ????
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 318
Likes: 3
From: kuwait
I'd bet on a bad/poor ground. Check the ground cable at the frame under the battery box, then the grounds between the frame and the engine at the right motor mount, then the black wire to the block (should be close to the starter). After that, it's time to go to the fusible links. there are 2 in the harness that goes to the starter, and possibly another one on the left fender close to the master cylinder.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach, VA
Recently I wanted to start it and the buzzer went off again (no surprose). The car had low power, so, I tried just once more. And that's when everything died. Later, even with a fully charged battery or another car hooked up, everything is dead. That's why I suspected it had some relations to the ignition lock, which reacted as if there was a key in it all time.
I hope I explained this well.
Last edited by GR8DAIN; Jan 12, 2009 at 02:15 AM.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach, VA
Problem solved 
When I got to the starter, the cables looked burned, so, I unwrapped them for the old tape thinking of the fusible links in there somewhere. However, I must have worked the wires so much that a corroded ground wire (I guess) got connected again :o
I also realised that inside the ignition lock there's a bad connection somewhere, making the buzzer go off all the time. Can I spray something in there to fix it or do I need to take it apart?
Thank you all again for your good advice
When I got to the starter, the cables looked burned, so, I unwrapped them for the old tape thinking of the fusible links in there somewhere. However, I must have worked the wires so much that a corroded ground wire (I guess) got connected again :o
I also realised that inside the ignition lock there's a bad connection somewhere, making the buzzer go off all the time. Can I spray something in there to fix it or do I need to take it apart?
Thank you all again for your good advice
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Newfane NY
The 'key-in reminder' is located in/near the key tumbler assembly.
Sounds like the spring tension is lost or stuck down.
Try some air pressure (even one of those 'air in a can' thingies)
followed by some lock ease type spray. (most penetrating oils will not keep it lubed too well)
Good Job getting going again!!!!
Sounds like the spring tension is lost or stuck down.
Try some air pressure (even one of those 'air in a can' thingies)
followed by some lock ease type spray. (most penetrating oils will not keep it lubed too well)
Good Job getting going again!!!!