Need some help - No Electrical power

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Apr 1, 2014 | 11:51 AM

Brians1

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 889

Likes: 13

From: Jax/St. Augustine FL

Need some help - No Electrical power

Gurus...
Saturday I was setting the timing on my stock 81. Got it set (10 deg BTDC), plugged back up the dizzy electrical connection, and then shut it off. I placed the air cleaner back on it, buttoned it up and closed the hood. I got in and turned the key - heard a louder than normal "click" and key went dead…I have no power registering anywhere!!. I even put my test light on the positive terminal of the battery and grounded it to metal...nada

Is there a fuse somewhere I am not looking at, is it the starter solenoid? I need some pointers.

Apr 1, 2014 | 11:58 AM

diehrd

Safety Car

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 4,000

Likes: 299

From: New York

Bad ground .. Or a dead short .. Disconnect battery test light neg to pos see if it has power

Apr 1, 2014 | 01:17 PM

Brians1

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 889

Likes: 13

From: Jax/St. Augustine FL

Will do - assuming it has power...next steps?

Apr 1, 2014 | 01:49 PM

Kevova

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 6,192

Likes: 750

From: near the thumb in the mitten

The next step would be to check battery cables and where they attach to starter(+) and engine(-).

Apr 1, 2014 | 05:54 PM

jotto

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 2,056

Likes: 8

From: Redruth Cornwall

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brians1

Gurus...
Saturday I was setting the timing on my stock 81. Got it set (10 deg BTDC), plugged back up the dizzy electrical connection, and then shut it off. I placed the air cleaner back on it, buttoned it up and closed the hood. I got in and turned the key - heard a louder than normal "click" and key went dead…I have no power registering anywhere!!. I even put my test light on the positive terminal of the battery and grounded it to metal...nada

Is there a fuse somewhere I am not looking at, is it the starter solenoid? I need some pointers.

Are you saying you connected the electrical connector whilst the engine was running? I thought you had to reconnect it when switched off or you could damage the computer.....Not sure that would cause your problems though. Hope you get it sorted soon!

Apr 1, 2014 | 06:41 PM

Brians1

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 889

Likes: 13

From: Jax/St. Augustine FL

It's actually the procedure in the shop manual done it several times
I think the issue is the starter connections I was replacing plug wires and the PO snaked some through the area close to the starter....I may have disrupted the wiring...will check tonight

Apr 1, 2014 | 10:55 PM

Ironcross

Race Director

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 12,142

Likes: 54

From: Taylor Michigan

The car probably has a bad ground as written above in another post....It would be wise to check your shift cable and also the ground underneath by the drivers seat...Normally never noticed because of its position....If that is the case, the shift cable may have a chalky white substance indicating that the engine is seeking a ground and has been using the cable as its engine ground....

anyone need a extra classic to go with their Vette as an addition to the Man Cave ?

Apr 1, 2014 | 11:18 PM

Brians1

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 889

Likes: 13

From: Jax/St. Augustine FL

Thanks guys I just got it figured out...
Damn cable connection to the ECM was halfway out..found it by tracing back the ground as you guys suggested
Reseated it and whaloa....
Thanks !!!