just got home...on a flatbed.....
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
just got home...on a flatbed.....and fixed it !!
Well, I took her out to get a coffee.... after 2 miles I had to pull over and wait for the towtruck...
First I thought it's the alternator - no big deal I thought..... Then I checked the battery and guess what - it's fully charged.... Now I think it's either the fuse box or the main power cable disconnected - I'll start my troubleshooting tomorrow morning...
I assume the power cable goes from the battery to the fuse box under the dash - is there something like a 'main fuse' down there that could be the problem ?
I'll update this tomorrow with my 'findings'.....
First I thought it's the alternator - no big deal I thought..... Then I checked the battery and guess what - it's fully charged.... Now I think it's either the fuse box or the main power cable disconnected - I'll start my troubleshooting tomorrow morning...
I assume the power cable goes from the battery to the fuse box under the dash - is there something like a 'main fuse' down there that could be the problem ?
I'll update this tomorrow with my 'findings'.....
Last edited by MYBAD79; Dec 20, 2004 at 12:22 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 2
From: somewhere between heaven and hell WI
Check the fuseable links at the starter. They are easy to spot if bad, the wire will be burned through. If not pulls the wires off the starter and check the connections between the wire and the connector, the wire inside the shielding could be bad. Start there, then let us know what you find.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by Schmucker
I think there is a fusable link.
I can fix anything but electric related problems.....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 856
Likes: 2
From: Tyler Texas
Karsten: I agree with Zwede. If all is dead check check for a loose connection from battery to frame. Sometimes ground connection looks good/tight but is not--several forum members have removed, cleaned and retightend and the problem was solved. I would check ground first; especially since you just replaced your body mounts and there could have been some minor non-noticeable movement of the ground cable connection. --Patrick
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Patrick, I just went out to the garage and checked the ground wire - I disconnected it when I did the body mounts so I thought "yep, that's it"... unfortunately the connection seems to be good, the battery connection sparks when I touch it with the ground cable...
Everything is dead.... this is what confuses me, the spark at the battery connection indicates that I am closing/interupting a circuit at the battery....
Would everything be dead if it is the fuseable link at the starter ?
Everything is dead.... this is what confuses me, the spark at the battery connection indicates that I am closing/interupting a circuit at the battery....
Would everything be dead if it is the fuseable link at the starter ?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
i had this happen to my 79 once. it turned out to be a loose connection in the wiring harness. on mine, there is a rather large "snap" connector on the firewall on the passenger side. ignition, headlights, dash lights, etc. all ran through this connection. it was partially separated and i couldn't crank, had no interior lights, nuthin'. pushed connector back together and bingo, everything worked. worth checking anyway
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
Would everything be dead if it is the fuseable link at the starter ?
well if the main lug from the battery on the starter has power and you have a fusible link (or 2) from there going to the fuse box/head lights....this is where all your power is coming through ...so if its shot...you will have no power...the electricity has to have a physical connection to flow through....
how do you know you have good grounds?
Last edited by bobs77vet; Dec 19, 2004 at 10:33 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 856
Likes: 2
From: Tyler Texas
Karsten: Couple of more thoughts on things to check--there is more than one frame ground cable or strap. (1) door sill ground strap: located left front lower driver's side adjacent to #1 body mount. It is clearly shown in myAIM; Section A, Underbody. (2) engine ground cable by starter (not the pos battery cable that runs to starter): a ground cable runs off the right front lower engine; above & forward of starter' ; attaches to the frame. It is also shown in my AIM, section 12, Electrical chasis and body section.
Also, the in line "fusable link" by the starter should certainly be examined.
Clean battery connections/posts.
Were you driving and everything just went dead?
I assume no click when you turn the key? These are the type of problems I like to solve because next week it will probably happen to me!--Patrick
Also, the in line "fusable link" by the starter should certainly be examined.
Clean battery connections/posts.
Were you driving and everything just went dead?
I assume no click when you turn the key? These are the type of problems I like to solve because next week it will probably happen to me!--Patrick
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Good morning forum !!
9:30AM, sunny morning in Orlando, right now I am ejoying a good cup of coffee... in about 15 minutes I'll lift the Vette on jacks (again) and begin my troubleshooting....
Patrick,
good ideas, I'll check all the ground straps, maybe I ripped one when lifting the body last week...
Bob,
this is a very good thought - the starter gets power directly from the battery, electricity flows through the ground cable at the starter - that's probably why I see sparks at the battery.... if that fuse at the starter is blown then it's like turning the ignition key 'off'....
I'll hopefully have the answer to this problem in an hour....
9:30AM, sunny morning in Orlando, right now I am ejoying a good cup of coffee... in about 15 minutes I'll lift the Vette on jacks (again) and begin my troubleshooting....
Patrick,
good ideas, I'll check all the ground straps, maybe I ripped one when lifting the body last week...
Bob,
this is a very good thought - the starter gets power directly from the battery, electricity flows through the ground cable at the starter - that's probably why I see sparks at the battery.... if that fuse at the starter is blown then it's like turning the ignition key 'off'....
I'll hopefully have the answer to this problem in an hour....
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Yep, it's fixed.... appearently the positive cable at the starter loosened a little when I installed the starter heat shield.... it came loose and touched the block.... that explains the sparking at the battery when connecting the negative cable....
Thanks for all your input - I'll take her for a ride now....(very happy).....
and 
Thanks for all your input - I'll take her for a ride now....(very happy).....
and
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
Yep, it's fixed.... appearently the positive cable at the starter loosened a little when I installed the starter heat shield.... it came loose and touched the block.... that explains the sparking at the battery when connecting the negative cable....
Thanks for all your input - I'll take her for a ride now....(very happy).....
and
Thanks for all your input - I'll take her for a ride now....(very happy).....
and 
SEMPER FI--1970 Dave