90 Vette Electrically dead
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Sunriver Oregon
90 Vette Electrically dead
Unfortunately this winter I left my 1990 Corvette Coupe outside one night and got a foot of snow on it. It appears that after the melt that the top seal didn't seal and water was on the pass side floor. The electrical system is completely dead. After it dried out I checked the battery and It is still good but no power to anything else! I have read on this forum that there are circuit breakers behind the battery. Could this be what shorted out? Could it be something before the fuse box? None of the fuses look bad (the ones in the box). Has anyone ever had something like this happen?
Oh forgot, I need to update my profile because I'm now in Oregon!
Oh forgot, I need to update my profile because I'm now in Oregon!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,477
Likes: 565
From: Clearwater Florida
............... Frost bite ?? ....................
..... Dude ... its almost the end of July ... when did it snow last ? and why are you pointing the finger at snow ?
..... Dude ... its almost the end of July ... when did it snow last ? and why are you pointing the finger at snow ?
Last edited by C409; Jul 21, 2011 at 10:11 PM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: Detroit MI
You probably have fuseable links. They are not repairable you need to replace them.
Don't butt splice the wires together unless you like real flames on your vehicles.
You can get them at most auto parts stores
https://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...212984305&An=0
Features and Benefits:Prevents Burning Out Of Entire Wire Harness By Breaking Circuit Before Damage Occurs. Temperature-Resistant Wire Insulation.
Don't butt splice the wires together unless you like real flames on your vehicles.
You can get them at most auto parts stores
https://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...212984305&An=0
Features and Benefits:Prevents Burning Out Of Entire Wire Harness By Breaking Circuit Before Damage Occurs. Temperature-Resistant Wire Insulation.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Sunriver Oregon
C409, This occurred in March when I took the car out of the garage to do some work inside and it snowed heavy. It was then that I found the water on the floor and no power. I have been busy building a shed and other stuff and traveling and just got back to trying to find out why the old Vette died. It is finally warm and dry here so I'm in the mood to get it running again.
JS Thanks for the tip. Are these fusible links behind the battery? If not where are they located?
JS Thanks for the tip. Are these fusible links behind the battery? If not where are they located?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 838
Likes: 2
From: Louisville Ky
C409, This occurred in March when I took the car out of the garage to do some work inside and it snowed heavy. It was then that I found the water on the floor and no power. I have been busy building a shed and other stuff and traveling and just got back to trying to find out why the old Vette died. It is finally warm and dry here so I'm in the mood to get it running again.
JS Thanks for the tip. Are these fusible links behind the battery? If not where are they located?
JS Thanks for the tip. Are these fusible links behind the battery? If not where are they located?
as the man said, is it even water related?
joe
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 2
From: Canandaigua New York
There should be a fusible link on the starter.
I'd start checking there.
If you have no juice there , then the link is the problem.
This is the best picture I could find. (from a C3, but similar)
I'd start checking there.
If you have no juice there , then the link is the problem.
This is the best picture I could find. (from a C3, but similar)
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 838
Likes: 2
From: Louisville Ky
besides, he has NO power.
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Personally I'd start with the basics.
You say the battery is good. Did you have it load tested?
If so I'd clean the battery terminals and cables and re-install it.
Then using a meter check to see you if you have a connection from the negative side to the car. If not clean the car end(s) of the negative cable and try again. That makes sure you have a good ground to start with.
Then, using a meter check from battery positive end of the cable to a ground on the car. Not good? Check continuity from the battery end of the positive to where it feeds the vehicle. Starter solenoid would be one and there will be others.
If you find a feed that is not getting power then check to see if that line has a fusible link in it.
I'm betting you'll find corrosion at one of the cable feeds.
You say the battery is good. Did you have it load tested?
If so I'd clean the battery terminals and cables and re-install it.
Then using a meter check to see you if you have a connection from the negative side to the car. If not clean the car end(s) of the negative cable and try again. That makes sure you have a good ground to start with.
Then, using a meter check from battery positive end of the cable to a ground on the car. Not good? Check continuity from the battery end of the positive to where it feeds the vehicle. Starter solenoid would be one and there will be others.
If you find a feed that is not getting power then check to see if that line has a fusible link in it.
I'm betting you'll find corrosion at one of the cable feeds.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Sunriver Oregon
Thanks for all of your possible solutions. I agree I should go back and start with the basics. The battery takes a 2amp charge and then shows fully charged and my test light indicates it has some juice but nothing is getting to the car, starter, lights, etc. I can't get to it til tomorrow so I can't check everything right now. I did clean terminals and cables but I have not traced the line back to the starter or fuse box. But I will! If I find out I will let Y'all know! Thanks again
Dan
Dan