Dead C3
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Dead C3
I have a 73 and the entire electrical is dead. The battery if fully charged and checkout out good for no dead cells.
Here is what happened. I had to change the alternator out. the +12 lines had a lug that touched the case and obviously shorted out +12 to ground. Now there is zero +12 anywhere except at the battery and that is with the wires to the alternator disconnected.
Need help and advise as to where to start. Do not think there i "master" fuse for all the electrical circuits so the big question is what got smoked? Thanks
.
Here is what happened. I had to change the alternator out. the +12 lines had a lug that touched the case and obviously shorted out +12 to ground. Now there is zero +12 anywhere except at the battery and that is with the wires to the alternator disconnected.
Need help and advise as to where to start. Do not think there i "master" fuse for all the electrical circuits so the big question is what got smoked? Thanks
.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,681
Likes: 200
From: Waterford Mi
The fusible link is connected to the starter at the same place the battery cable. It should be a smaller wire. It runs up the firewall and ends at the horn relay. The fusible link is a short piece of 24 gauge wire coming off the starter and is attached to a 10 gauge wire as it runs up the firewall. If the link is blown you will not have any power past the starter.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 1,656
Likes: 383
From: Toronto, Ontario
Fusible link is likely the culprit. I had mine cut in and out while I was driving. Replaced that section of harness which is available from "Lectric Limited". No problems ever since.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,664
Likes: 2,564
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 1,639
From: Fairfax Virginia
The fusible links are easy to find IF you know to look at the starter. There are two fusible links used in my 1968 C3. Go to NAPA or where ever you plan to buy them from and get the ones you need. Fusible links do in fact wear out after enough years. I keep a spare set of fusible links because you never know when one will blow. My first set lasted over 45 years
The fusible links are there to protect your car from a bad short. They are the ultimate line of defense for the electrical system when something major happens to the electrical system.
All the guys listed above know what they are talking about. Some of us can tell from our own experience of how and when we blew a Fusible link and how much fun they were to replace.
The fusible links are there to protect your car from a bad short. They are the ultimate line of defense for the electrical system when something major happens to the electrical system.
All the guys listed above know what they are talking about. Some of us can tell from our own experience of how and when we blew a Fusible link and how much fun they were to replace.
Old Fart Pilot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,872
Likes: 950
From: Spokane, WA
The fusible link is connected to the starter at the same place the battery cable. It should be a smaller wire. It runs up the firewall and ends at the horn relay. The fusible link is a short piece of 24 gauge wire coming off the starter and is attached to a 10 gauge wire as it runs up the firewall. If the link is blown you will not have any power past the starter.
For a 10ga wire, the fusible link should be 14ga not 24...
If it is a 24, no wonder it burnt up!!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Location
Thanks for all the info.
One more thing please. where exactly is the horn relay located on my 73 BB? I am lost as to location.
I am hoping the fried link is at the starter but need to help the garage with all info I can.
thanks
One more thing please. where exactly is the horn relay located on my 73 BB? I am lost as to location.
I am hoping the fried link is at the starter but need to help the garage with all info I can.
thanks
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,664
Likes: 2,564
Drivers side inner fender roughly behind wheel well