Recently I did a re-paint on my 1972 Stingray. Complete disassembly of interior (Did not have the dash out) while I did the paint in order to put sound / temp barrier in. I completely re-installed the interior of the car only to find it wouldn't start. Starting trying to find loose wires, etc. Took the center gauge cluster out, did not remove any wires, tried turning the car over and it started right up. Put the cluster back in.....wouldn't turn over....nothing. Took the cluster back out...started right up. Next step. Took all the wires off the back of the cluster...started right up. Started putting wires on one by one each time inserting the gauge cluster into the dash to make sure the car would start with it installed. Long story but I got all wires hooked up except for the Amp meter. Car still started with the cluster installed. Hooked up the AMP gauge installed the cluster and it won't turn over. Take the cluster out of the console and the console starts right up.....

So I have my problem narrowed down to the AMP gauge wiring??? but not sure what is going on between the cluster uninstalled versus it being in the console. It seems that by putting it in the console that it is somehow opening what should be a closed circuit.

Help please....suggestions, ideas. Just can't understand what is going on. By the way no sparks or blow fuses.

 

 

Not sure if your can is a stick or automatic? If it is an automatic, have you had any problems with he neutral safety switch? I would move the shifter from park to reverse and see if hat is your problem.

I am not sure I see the correlation between the amp gauge and not starting either.

 

The amp gauge is just run off 2 small wires that connect to the main harness. Those wires don't complete any circuit and shorting them would just blow/burn the fusible link where they connect.

Check the main heavy power wire that goes from the solenoid to the horn relay and firewall and alternator (and a junction block maybe?). Also, check the connectors at the firewall.

 

Thanks....as it turns out a wire was bad in the console somewhere. I pulled and tugged on the wiring and the problem went away. Problem now is that I can't find where the problem was. Electrical problems...gremlins.

So now I have a different question. This time it has to do with the windshield wipers. When I bought the car the wipers were not working. I am just now getting around to addressing them. I went on line and found information as to how to de-bug the problem, went through the steps, even to the point of removing the motor unit and bench testing. The under the steering wheel switch is good, (Have power) the wiper door switch is good, Have power) have power to the motor and good grounds everywhere. After having had the unit off the car when I re-installed the unit started, went to the rest position and won't do anything since. Any thought and or suggestions on what to try.

Keep in mind that I am a mechanical guy....not electrical. Any help is truly appreciated.

Thanks