Help. I just lost all power while driving!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 188
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Help. I just lost all power while driving!
I just lost all power- ignition, accessories- everything while driving!
I was driving into my neighborhood and all of a sudden I lost all power and the car shut off. I got out the test light and the battery is good, there is power to the starter and to the alternator. The ground cable seems happy and is properly grounded- thus I am convinced that it is not at the battery or the battery cables. When I turn the key, nothing happens, no lights, no ignition... nothing.
You don't think the ignition switch went bad all of a sudden? .... come to think of it, it acts just like that is the problem, but my aftermarket stereo has a bypass so it can eject CDs without the key on, but it is dead too.
What else can I check?
I was driving into my neighborhood and all of a sudden I lost all power and the car shut off. I got out the test light and the battery is good, there is power to the starter and to the alternator. The ground cable seems happy and is properly grounded- thus I am convinced that it is not at the battery or the battery cables. When I turn the key, nothing happens, no lights, no ignition... nothing.
You don't think the ignition switch went bad all of a sudden? .... come to think of it, it acts just like that is the problem, but my aftermarket stereo has a bypass so it can eject CDs without the key on, but it is dead too.
What else can I check?
Racer
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
From: CT
Re: Help. I just lost all power while driving! (dshrack)
I had the same exact thing happen to my 71 when I got it. I dont know if your wiring is the same but on mine the horn relay on the driverside fender had rusted and all of the power in my car is from the connections at the horn relay. When it lost its connection everything died. just a thought
Kevin
Kevin
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 534
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From: FL
Re: Help. I just lost all power while driving! (dshrack)
Sounds like an open circuit between the starter terminal and the fuse box...
On my car there is a connector over by the heater plenum under the hood. All interior power is routed through that connector, and I had mine almost melt the connector shell. I soldered it solid (hey, I don't plan to unplug the car any time soon). Perhaps you have the same issue. It is translucent white and squarish, and several wires go through it.
-Noel
On my car there is a connector over by the heater plenum under the hood. All interior power is routed through that connector, and I had mine almost melt the connector shell. I soldered it solid (hey, I don't plan to unplug the car any time soon). Perhaps you have the same issue. It is translucent white and squarish, and several wires go through it.
-Noel
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Timmins ON
Re: Help. I just lost all power while driving! (dshrack)
Hi there! I had something similar happen to my car... For me it was the battery cable connections. You know the aftermarket bolt on battery connectors... They loosened up and wold give me "sometimes" power... Some electrics would work until I tried to start it... Try that...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,025
Likes: 1
From: Billings MT
Re: Help. I just lost all power while driving! (dshrack)
Sounds like a fuseable link fried on ya....Check the one on the top right, its an orange block on my '74. Mine came a little loose today and it was dead as a door nail :crazy:
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 1
From: Boxford Mass
Re: Help. I just lost all power while driving! (VETDRMS)
Sounds like its time to untape that fusible link.
Somebody posted a long thread a while ago that ended up being a loose wire in the ignition. I think your non-operating CD player rules that out though.
Somebody posted a long thread a while ago that ended up being a loose wire in the ignition. I think your non-operating CD player rules that out though.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Lake Villa IL
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Re: Help. I just lost all power while driving! (dshrack)
I agree with the others, that it's probably a fusible link. Replace them both. But you also need to figure out what fried them in the first place. Check all of your grounds, etc. For your fusible link to go, you need a lot of errant juice.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 188
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Re: Help. I just lost all power while driving! (dshrack)
OK... now what if I through this in the mix:
I went out with my buddy to move it about 20 feet into my garage... and if fired up without a problem. All I had done is check the battery cables like I said and it didn't work for the first 5 times I tried.... came back 1 hour later and there was no problem.
That is almost more worriesome....
I went out with my buddy to move it about 20 feet into my garage... and if fired up without a problem. All I had done is check the battery cables like I said and it didn't work for the first 5 times I tried.... came back 1 hour later and there was no problem.
That is almost more worriesome....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Re: Help. I just lost all power while driving! (dshrack)
This sounds like the starter wiring harness connector. It's located above the starter on the fire wall. Wiggle will the key is on and see if you loose power. That is probably your problem.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,650
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From: Indiana
this thread is 18 years old so unknownif you get a response..
try tagging the name of the original poster in your new thread in case still around...
good luck..but I personally would remove and clean battery cables...and verify good contact
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
suggest starting a new thread with your specific details year even pics...
this thread is 18 years old so unknownif you get a response..
try tagging the name of the original poster in your new thread in case still around...
good luck..but I personally would remove and clean battery cables...and verify good contact
this thread is 18 years old so unknownif you get a response..
try tagging the name of the original poster in your new thread in case still around...
good luck..but I personally would remove and clean battery cables...and verify good contact
especially where Neg Ground Bat cable attaches to chassis
