'81 won't start
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Portage Michigan
'81 won't start
A friend and I went to get my car out. I knew we'd have to jump it because it wouldn't turn over when I had tried prior. We hooked the jumper cables up, waited for a few and then tried to start it. It almost turned over, but didn't so I waited another few seconds and gave it another try. It turned over and almost started. Gave it a third try and got nothing. No click, no radio, no windows, nothing...it was as if the battery wasn't even hooked up. Pulled the battery out and took it to a parts store. They tested it and it was low, but good, so they charged it and it got a good charge. Double checked the connections at the battery and starter and they were good. While the ground looked good, tomorrow I'll pull it from the frame and see how it really looks. A few people have mentioned something about an inline fuse on the positive line, does the '81 have something like that? Anyone have other thoughts/ideas?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 2
From: Castle Hills Texas
There is a fusible link at the starter solenoid. If that is toast, you will not get power. You can pick those up at your local parts house.
Last edited by Crash80; Mar 22, 2012 at 12:50 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
From: Cedar Springs MI
A friend and I went to get my car out. I knew we'd have to jump it because it wouldn't turn over when I had tried prior. We hooked the jumper cables up, waited for a few and then tried to start it. It almost turned over, but didn't so I waited another few seconds and gave it another try. It turned over and almost started. Gave it a third try and got nothing. No click, no radio, no windows, nothing...it was as if the battery wasn't even hooked up. Pulled the battery out and took it to a parts store. They tested it and it was low, but good, so they charged it and it got a good charge. Double checked the connections at the battery and starter and they were good. While the ground looked good, tomorrow I'll pull it from the frame and see how it really looks. A few people have mentioned something about an inline fuse on the positive line, does the '81 have something like that? Anyone have other thoughts/ideas?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
From: Cedar Springs MI
I am hoping my co working brings in a amp tester today so I can try and trace mine down but I have never used one.
Not looking forward to crawling under this thing again.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Portage Michigan
Checked the ground on the battery and it was good, so moved up to the starter. Started poking around and got a spark from an exposed wire, so I knew there was power going to the starter. After unplugging the the power from the battery, went back to the exposed wire and discovered it wasn't just exposed, but broken in half. Took a picture of the area and my mechanic confirmed it was the fusible link.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
From: Cedar Springs MI
figured it out, I took of the heat sheild started testing resistance wiggled the wire with plastic thing on it and pow! the radio came on and I could crank it over.
I ordered the whole harnes from MID America for 89.00 + shipping and tax.
I ordered the whole harnes from MID America for 89.00 + shipping and tax.
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