$5K is ridiculous.
1975 C3 Need help, power issues
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Jefferson LA
1975 C3 Need help, power issues
I've been having a world of problems with the electrical system in my 75. First off, something is drawing on the battery, and I don't yet know what it is. I know that I need to go through the fuse box with a tester, I just haven't gotten there yet. Life is a mad rush these days.
As a stopgap, I've been pulling the positive terminal off the battery whenever I shut it down. This has been working for several weeks without incident. I haven't had to recharge the battery at all, until yesterday.
I went to start it and got nothing but a couple of clicks. I reseated the terminal, and still nothing. I found that the cable going to the terminal was loose, so I pulled it off, reseated the cables in it and tightened the clamp. I put the battery on a charger, still nothing but a few clicks.
My dad thinks it might be the ignition or the starter. I am not so optimistic, and would like to hear any other ideas or past experiences.
Also, I've gotten a quote to replace the wiring entirely. It's a Corvette specialty garage, and they quoted me $5000 just for the main harness. Is that a fair quote? Anyone gotten better numbers or just knows better?
Any help with this will be greatly appreciated.
As a stopgap, I've been pulling the positive terminal off the battery whenever I shut it down. This has been working for several weeks without incident. I haven't had to recharge the battery at all, until yesterday.
I went to start it and got nothing but a couple of clicks. I reseated the terminal, and still nothing. I found that the cable going to the terminal was loose, so I pulled it off, reseated the cables in it and tightened the clamp. I put the battery on a charger, still nothing but a few clicks.
My dad thinks it might be the ignition or the starter. I am not so optimistic, and would like to hear any other ideas or past experiences.
Also, I've gotten a quote to replace the wiring entirely. It's a Corvette specialty garage, and they quoted me $5000 just for the main harness. Is that a fair quote? Anyone gotten better numbers or just knows better?
Any help with this will be greatly appreciated.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 572
Likes: 61
Which main harness are they talking about? Basically there are three large harnesses: the engine harness, the dash harness, and the rear harness. There are other smaller harnesses that are for the a/c, radio, etc. but they are not that expensive. All together the three harnesses cost approximately $1000.00 for the parts only. $4000.00 in labor seems a bit high to me. It isn't too complicated to do it yourself if you take your time and label everything as you remove it.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Follow dad's advise Dad's. Start with the obvious and work up to replacing the harness. If you do need a harness, it more than likely the two in the engine compartment. If I remember correctly total $650. And you can run them yourself. They use the same color coded wires and fitting that came with the car. Use the old one as a guide. As you remove the old one replace it with the new. It isn't hard, just time consuming. (about a day worth).
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
I've been having a world of problems with the electrical system in my 75. First off, something is drawing on the battery, and I don't yet know what it is. I know that I need to go through the fuse box with a tester, I just haven't gotten there yet. Life is a mad rush these days.
As a stopgap, I've been pulling the positive terminal off the battery whenever I shut it down. This has been working for several weeks without incident. I haven't had to recharge the battery at all, until yesterday.
I went to start it and got nothing but a couple of clicks. I reseated the terminal, and still nothing. I found that the cable going to the terminal was loose, so I pulled it off, reseated the cables in it and tightened the clamp. I put the battery on a charger, still nothing but a few clicks.
My dad thinks it might be the ignition or the starter. I am not so optimistic, and would like to hear any other ideas or past experiences.
Also, I've gotten a quote to replace the wiring entirely. It's a Corvette specialty garage, and they quoted me $5000 just for the main harness. Is that a fair quote? Anyone gotten better numbers or just knows better?
Any help with this will be greatly appreciated.
As a stopgap, I've been pulling the positive terminal off the battery whenever I shut it down. This has been working for several weeks without incident. I haven't had to recharge the battery at all, until yesterday.
I went to start it and got nothing but a couple of clicks. I reseated the terminal, and still nothing. I found that the cable going to the terminal was loose, so I pulled it off, reseated the cables in it and tightened the clamp. I put the battery on a charger, still nothing but a few clicks.
My dad thinks it might be the ignition or the starter. I am not so optimistic, and would like to hear any other ideas or past experiences.
Also, I've gotten a quote to replace the wiring entirely. It's a Corvette specialty garage, and they quoted me $5000 just for the main harness. Is that a fair quote? Anyone gotten better numbers or just knows better?
Any help with this will be greatly appreciated.
I SERIOUSLY DOUBT that you need wiring harnesses....and the $5000 is a JOKE...a TOTAL JOKE.
Finding a power drain in your car is kinda easy....not much that runs with the key off...unlike a 1996 Corvette.
SO...PM me if you are interested and I will give you my shop number and with some basic tools (test light, volt meter, hand tools) the problem should be found rather quickly.
I can say this...that at the BATTERY is usually where problem begin and I have found that loose, dirty, or modified cable ends and terminals on the battery are a culprit. SO...if some "Einstein" cut the factory sealed ends off your battery cables...and replacements had been installed....and the exposed copper strands of the wire are all dirty and corroded...that can be part of the problem....BECAUSE...when you go to start the engine...this function requires the MOST amps from the battery out of all other electrical circuits.
I am willing to help if you take the steps to contact me.
DUB
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
I work on Corvettes for a living and I will be more than glad to help you out. I LOVE wiring issues....because either it works...or it doesn't.
I SERIOUSLY DOUBT that you need wiring harnesses....and the $5000 is a JOKE...a TOTAL JOKE.
Finding a power drain in your car is kinda easy....not much that runs with the key off...unlike a 1996 Corvette.
SO...PM me if you are interested and I will give you my shop number and with some basic tools (test light, volt meter, hand tools) the problem should be found rather quickly.
I can say this...that at the BATTERY is usually where problem begin and I have found that loose, dirty, or modified cable ends and terminals on the battery are a culprit. SO...if some "Einstein" cut the factory sealed ends off your battery cables...and replacements had been installed....and the exposed copper strands of the wire are all dirty and corroded...that can be part of the problem....BECAUSE...when you go to start the engine...this function requires the MOST amps from the battery out of all other electrical circuits.
I am willing to help if you take the steps to contact me.
DUB
I SERIOUSLY DOUBT that you need wiring harnesses....and the $5000 is a JOKE...a TOTAL JOKE.
Finding a power drain in your car is kinda easy....not much that runs with the key off...unlike a 1996 Corvette.
SO...PM me if you are interested and I will give you my shop number and with some basic tools (test light, volt meter, hand tools) the problem should be found rather quickly.
I can say this...that at the BATTERY is usually where problem begin and I have found that loose, dirty, or modified cable ends and terminals on the battery are a culprit. SO...if some "Einstein" cut the factory sealed ends off your battery cables...and replacements had been installed....and the exposed copper strands of the wire are all dirty and corroded...that can be part of the problem....BECAUSE...when you go to start the engine...this function requires the MOST amps from the battery out of all other electrical circuits.
I am willing to help if you take the steps to contact me.
DUB
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 50
From: Laguna Niguel California
Relax and take it step by step. A common problem with the starters on these is that people put in cheap replacements and the solenoids fail fairly soon with seemingly undiagnosable symptoms. Also, as was stated earlier cables can be a problem if not done right - has Bubba been at work on your car?
Anything you replace use quality parts, But not a $5,000 harness.
Anything you replace use quality parts, But not a $5,000 harness.
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Charlotte NC