mulcaheys

My 1979 L82 has a ZZ4 turn-key crate motor (installed 4 years ago). Had some misfiring problems, so had a new HEI Street Fire distributor put in (2 weeks ago). Car ran amazingly well until it lost alternator power. Now when I charge the battery and try to start car, all power goes out (no lights, power to dash, etc.). Any thoughts? Bad ignition switch? Could the new distributor cause another problem with ignition? Any recommendations on further testing? Thanks for your time!

Jamess411

Sounds like a bad connection at the battery or battery cable somewhere. OR possibly a ground issue. That is assuming the battery is charged enough to start the car. Clean and tighten the terminals and make sure there isn't corrosion where the cable goes into the terminal as well. Good cheap place to start.

mulcaheys

Thanks James.

mulcaheys

Found the culprit! It was a break in a corroded wire to alternator. Replace wire and car started like a champ. Alternator properly charging.

mulcaheys

Rescue Rogers

That wire looks.like it doesnt have any insulation on it. You may want to check and see if it was grounded out and maybe shorted or something

mulcaheys

Thanks. Yes, there was about 5 inches or so with no insulation. Also was badly corroded. Wasn't really sure if root cause was corrosion or short. It appears that it had been that way for a while. Wire was completely severed, cutting off power from alternator. I inspected the wiring and replaced the entire bad section. Everything seems to be working normally now.

Rescue Rogers

Good job. Congrats on figuring it out

saunderscx

Good advice. I just blew blew 1 or more fuse link(s) in a 72 over a direct short in headlight wiring last week. Almost same location (near fender well). Car was dead as door nail the instant I turned on the headlights. Paid $$ for a tow home on a flat bed. Total beating. Waiting on fuseable link ordered online. Good times.

Anyway, please avoid the hell I'm experiencing over something so simple yet devastating. Ensure the wire is clean as you can get it & re-insulate it with heat shrink. Use solder if the wire is stranded if possible.

pws69

I would also suggest investing a little time (and knuckles) to follow that wire end to end if possible. That looks like it got extremely hot and the burning is extensive. I suspect there was/is a direct short somewhere and it needs to be found. The one possibility that eliminates a "mysterious" short is if you KNOW that someone accidentally shorted the wires on the alternator during a change / maintenance.

lvmyvt76

new wiring harness needed? might save a car from burning up!

saunderscx

On further inspection I think it's time for a new forward lighting harness. The short isn't obvious. The starter power harness is beat down too. I think $450 for two new harnesses is the way to go.

Rescue Rogers

Good choice. Better safe than sorry.

saunderscx

After spending a couple of hours looking for this short (which I haven't found), I'm inclined to agree with you. A new forward lighting harness will take the guess work out of the equation. The starter/engine wire harness is beat down & could stand to be replaced as well. Time for a refresh. About $450 for both.