Car completely dead
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Akron Ohio
Car completely dead
I have a 73 coupe 4 speed/L48 that has been running great...unfortunately, yesterday, I drove it about 8 miles on the highway and stopped at a local shopping area...as soon as pulled into the parking lot, it completely died...lights, engine, radio, everything...it started about 2 minutes later, but when I went to leave, it did the same thing and has been completely dead since...I had it towed home...not sure where to look first...I don't think it is the battery, as it looks relatively new and the connections are tight...any thoughts?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
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From: SOUTH ELGIN IL
If all the electrical is just quitting when the car is running then battery is probably not at fault since it doesn't do much after the car is started, although it may be dead now. Have you checked your alternator and your grounds? If nothing works when the car is off, battery ground or positive is a good place to start. Make sure it's not laying on the exhaust (headers?) and worn through.
what does it sound like when it dies? When you try to start it again?
what does it sound like when it dies? When you try to start it again?
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 66
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From: Akron Ohio
If all the electrical is just quitting when the car is running then battery is probably not at fault since it doesn't do much after the car is started, although it may be dead now. Have you checked your alternator and your grounds? If nothing works when the car is off, battery ground or positive is a good place to start. Make sure it's not laying on the exhaust (headers?) and worn through.
what does it sound like when it dies? When you try to start it again?
what does it sound like when it dies? When you try to start it again?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,259
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From: Deplorableville Nebraska
Same thing happened to me years ago. Car just died driving on the highway. The problem ended up being the fuse link at the horn relay. There should also be one at the starter. When those things go, nothing works. Good luck.............
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Akron Ohio
thanks for the input...do you think it would have started up after the first incident if it was a fuse? I was thinking about the fuse but I had kinda ruled it out based on the fact that it did start up, albeit for only a minute or two, after the first incident...I'm not sure either way, but I'll surely give it a look...thanks again
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,056
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From: Redruth Cornwall
I had a worn wire on my headlights....turn on the lights and bam, dead...nothing at all.
First time it happened, managed to start her after about 10 mins. Lights on again, bam, dead.
Found the wire trapped by radiator and replaced it and all was good. pehaps you have a short somewhere...only question is...where?
First time it happened, managed to start her after about 10 mins. Lights on again, bam, dead.
Found the wire trapped by radiator and replaced it and all was good. pehaps you have a short somewhere...only question is...where?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,259
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From: Deplorableville Nebraska
That is the exact same thing that happened to me. After the car died, and wouldn't start again (completely dead), I started to walk toward a shopping center to use the phone. I turned around after about 50 yards, and the flashers that wouldn't work minutes before, were flashing. I walked back to the car, and it started, only to quit again seconds later. I sniffed around under the hood again, and heard and saw a small spark. The fuse link to the horn relay had blown, but the wires were close enough to each other that a small bit of movement made a connection. Not sure if this is your problem, but it's a good place to start. Good Luck..............
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,647
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From: East Aurora N.Y.
St. Jude Donor '10
I know you don't have HEI, but my big red power wire which led from the distributor to an alligator plug was loose in the plug itself.When it got really hot or was in just the wrong position......Nothing..
...Start jiggling wires and trying to start the car after every "jiggle". Coil to battery to starter etc...Hopefully it's as inexpensive as that.
...Start jiggling wires and trying to start the car after every "jiggle". Coil to battery to starter etc...Hopefully it's as inexpensive as that.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Akron Ohio
I know you don't have HEI, but my big red power wire which led from the distributor to an alligator plug was loose in the plug itself.When it got really hot or was in just the wrong position......Nothing.....Start jiggling wires and trying to start the car after every "jiggle". Coil to battery to starter etc...Hopefully it's as inexpensive as that.
...Start jiggling wires and trying to start the car after every "jiggle". Coil to battery to starter etc...Hopefully it's as inexpensive as that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,647
Likes: 1
From: East Aurora N.Y.
St. Jude Donor '10
Ya...Hmmmmm.......HEI is great, I don't suspect that's your problem...Start with the 2 plugs that plug into the HEI itself(3 wires, 2 plugs)and make sure they didn't shake loose from the plugs...Jam them up up there good and then try to start the car....The big red wire is the power wire so if it doesn't start, follow that wire to the passenger side along the fire wall and make sure all the plugs are tight and wires are in there really good.....BTW, was there a difference after you put the HEI in ?...If so , please explain.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Akron Ohio
I think i found the problem
it appears to be the horn wiring harness (not the fuse but a wire in the bundle)...see the picture below...sorry for the size of the pic, but I took it with my cell phone...I went out to the garage and found the fuse to the horn relay and pulled it, I had the ignition on...when I pulled on the wires, everything began working...I tried to start it, but the battery seemed to be drained...I pulled on the wires some more and it stopped working again...in the picture...see the wire on the left that is orange and has a 1/2 inch rubber sponge type covering on it? That appears to be the culprit...I'm not sure what that rubber covering is, but the wire near it is very sponge like and you can almost not feel any wire inside...the rest of the wire, on both sides is very firm feeling...there isn't a lot of wire to deal with and I don't want to try to cut it and splice it if there is some kind of fuse in that sponge covering...
Last edited by fgp73; Aug 20, 2009 at 09:08 PM. Reason: ..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,647
Likes: 1
From: East Aurora N.Y.
St. Jude Donor '10
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
it appears to be the horn wiring harness (not the fuse but a wire in the bundle)...see the picture below...sorry for the size of the pic, but I took it with my cell phone...I went out to the garage and found the fuse to the horn relay and pulled it, I had the ignition on...when I pulled on the wires, everything began working...I tried to start it, but the battery seemed to be drained...I pulled on the wires some more and it stopped working again...in the picture...see the wire on the left that is orange and has a 1/2 inch rubber sponge type covering on it? That appears to be the culprit...I'm not sure what that rubber covering is, but the wire near it is very sponge like and you can almost not feel any wire inside...the rest of the wire, on both sides is very firm feeling...there isn't a lot of wire to deal with and I don't want to try to cut it and splice it if there is some kind of fuse in that sponge covering...
Good catch!
Pete
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,259
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From: Deplorableville Nebraska
fgp73 - The sponge like covering is what is left of your fuse link. This is an inline fuseable wire that is designed to protect that circuit. You can find new fuse link wire at most auto parts stores or dealer parts stores. I'm trying to remember the size link I repaired mine with, but it's been years go. You should determine why the link blew first, and splicing in another fuse link is what I did, but the new link never blew again. Must have been old wiring. I'll try to get back to you on the size, or someone else may chime in. Good job finding the problem!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
The Ground wire from the battery to the frame is the first thing to check. If it is factory, it is copper coated, Aluminum wire, corrodes and falls apart. The bolt that the ground wire is connected to the frame could be rusted so much that it will not make a connection, Try that on. Have a great one. Gene