I have a 1970 Corvette 454-390 H P. Just purchased about 2 months ago. It is in the garage and will be restored. I have started it a couple times a week, let it run for awhile and turned it off. The problem is last week I started it, let it run for 30 minutes turned it off, all was fine. The next day I opened the door and noticed the dome light did not work ?? strange. I put the key in the ignition, turned it on, no dash lights, (hmmm) turned the key to start, NOTHING. It's like there was no battery in the car. Checked battery with meter, 12.75 V (new battery) checked cables, cleaned, removed cable from frame, ground surface on frame, ground cable end, replaced bolt with new and a new lock washer, tightened. Rechecked battery terminals, everything is tight . There is still no power in the car. Fusible links ?? How many and where are they located ? My shop manuals are on order, I don't know where to look or what to look for. If it is a fusible link, where do you get them ? I can't find them in any of my parts catalogs. Is this an inherent problem with early Vette's ? Could it be something else ?, if so, what? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Bob in Boca

 

Bob, The battery could be bad even with a 12 volt reading, as a easy test swap it out first. Then check for 12 volts at a couple of other places. 12 v to ground at the starter lug, that is connected directly to the batttery and is the treminal where ther 12 v is distributed to the car. The fusible links are on the wires connected to this terminal on the starter. They look like small blocks. You should also have 12 v at the alternator (red wire) On the fuse panel you have a source for 12 volts at the lighter fuse and light fuse. If the fusible links are ok you might have a loose bulk head connector. That is the block where the fuse panel is connecteed to the fire wall. There is also a ground wire on the engine to frame that could be a source of trouble. Keep us informed and good luck!

 

Here is a little test you can do. Put your volt meter across the battery and have someone turn the key to the start position. See what the battery voltage does. It is going to go down but if it goes all the way down the battery is toast. It could be the battery has just lived out its usefull life.

 

Thanks to All,
I will check it out tonight if I can. I will let you know what I find.

Bob

 

UPDATE,
The car is now running. I checked the battery, it was GOOD, then I turned on the ignition switch and checked for voltage at the starter, it was there. I then noticed a 10 gauge wire attached to the bell housing (ground) attached to that was a barrel connector and a very thin (16 ga wire maybe fusable link), I pulled on it to see if it was making a good connection, then I crawled out from under the car, opened the door and everything was working. Started the car, no problem. Went back underneath the car cut the barrel connector, relplaced it, cleaned the connector and the bell housing, reconnected it with new bolt and star washer, taped the wiring harness. It now starts as it should. So for now, that problem is gone. Thanks for the info. guys, it helped alot.

Bob in Boca