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Electrical help!!!!

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Old Apr 27, 2019 | 10:19 PM
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Default Electrical help!!!!

Hey guys,

I need help with a power issue. Installed new battery and it is like the car doesn't know it's there. I have constant power to the starter and alternator, but no readings anywhere else. It will not crank, no accessories, nothing.

I have checked the fuseable links, grounds to the frame, fuses, and all look good. My next stop is the ignition switch, because wouldn't that be the first point of failure for an all electronic failure?

1980, auto, sitting for ten years what are your thoughts for chasing this electrical ghost.

Thanks,
Jacob
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Old Apr 27, 2019 | 11:03 PM
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I’m not familiar with the 80 year. Are you sure you have the transmission shifter in park? Where has it been sitting? If outside, maybe a mouse has chewed some wires. Keep looking. Electrical problems are fun aren’t they? Good luck!
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Old Apr 27, 2019 | 11:59 PM
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Starter Extension Harness On the firewall, right of the distributor
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Old Apr 28, 2019 | 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by TimAT
Starter Extension Harness On the firewall, right of the distributor
That's exactly it! Here's what mine looked like. Insulation burned off, but wires still connected. If you already checked this, then the ignition switch is likely. Perhaps the actuating lever is missing? If you drop your steering wheel, be sure to loosen at the firewall first, or you will wreck your lower steering column bearing.


Last edited by Bikespace; Apr 28, 2019 at 01:49 PM.
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Old Apr 28, 2019 | 08:11 PM
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Sorry I dont know the 80 either But I llike to start at he starter, then go to the wiring going to and from the alternator and the horn relay if you have one. The 68s use the horn relay as a wiring panel junction. Yours may too, I dont know? If you can get under the car and pull the body wire connector that goes from the body/ headlight and charging harness into the firewall I would check there too. If you find power there and not at the fuse panel, then it may be just corrosion at the wiring connector. Someone else with a car thats been sitting had that problem last week.It wouldnt be a nuetral safety switch alone preventing it starting because you said have no power to lights, or radio...so it kind of eliminates that idea. My 68 has fuse muliple fusible connectors. Some at the starter and some at he horn relay. Do you have a wiring harness that lists all your links
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Old Apr 28, 2019 | 08:44 PM
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Without a diagram handy I would be inclined to check the hot going into the fuse panel and the hot going into the switch ignition switch. You need a wiring diagram.
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