C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

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Old Oct 26, 2019 | 03:17 PM
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Default No power

I've been seeing this issue, I put the key in the ignition, turn and absolutely nothing happens. No lights, no radio, nothing at all. I just charged the battery after changing the alternator. Last time this happened i jiggled the positive battery cable and that resolved the problem. Now the car has sat for several weeks without being driven but I did start it up 2 weeks ago.

Any thoughts and help will be greatly appreciated.
​​
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Old Oct 31, 2019 | 01:53 AM
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Maybe the fusible links near the starter are loose. Once you turn the key those two links should have power
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Old Oct 31, 2019 | 02:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Sopwith99
Last time this happened I jiggled the positive battery cable and that resolved the problem.​​
Any time you have to "jiggle the battery cable", that's a huge red flag! You have a bad connection on that cable, or a bad battery cable. Is that difficult to understand?

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Old Oct 31, 2019 | 11:08 AM
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You need to start with some basic "battery maintenance" and get it squared away with clean connections. Once you are sure the battery is okay and the terminals are clean then you can check your Fuse Box for the same voltage as the battery. Be sure the battery wires at the Starter are tight and "corrosion free". Sometimes we see loose or corroded cables at the starter but that is not as common as the Fusible Link post behind the battery on my 1988 C4.

If the Fuse Box does not have the full battery voltage then you need to check where the fusible links get their power. On my 1988 C4 Coupe it is behind the battery under the side panel. There is a large ~6 gauge wire feeding the little post that supplies power to the fusible links. The power comes from the battery through the fusible links (assuming they are good) and to the fuse box. So if the fuses are not seeing full voltage it is likely the fusible link connections that are corroded.

On my Corvette the post had serious corrosion and that led to a almost 2 volt drop at the fuse panel. The post needed to be taken apart and properly cleaned and re-assembled. This one post supplies 7 fusible links that feed a majority of the Car's power to the accessories. The fusible links are the last effort to protect the Corvettes Electrical system from damage in a bad short or overloading of a particular circuit. If you still have accessories without power check the fuse that corresponds to that circuit, if there is no power at the fuse then your issue is with a Fusible Link near the battery. You can test them using pins to pierce the insulation above and below the fusible section. Be sure to cover the holes in the insulation when done as not to introduce corrosion inside the wire's insulation.

After re-reading your post your issues are most likely at the battery connectors. You need to verify the ground connection on your Corvette as well. Sometimes the negative side of the battery is where the problems start. Check to be sure the engine is grounded properly. First measure the battery voltage directly at the battery. Then leave the red wire on the battery positive and put the black lead on the engine block and measure the voltage, they should be very, very close or there is a problem with the battery ground. If the ground is compromised be sure to fix it wherever the bad connection is. Look for loose or broken ground straps, when I bought my 1988 it was only 10 years old and several of my ground straps were broken or barely connected.

Annual battery maintenance is really important, batteries require maintenance despite the manufacturers claims. They have made checking the electrolyte very difficult on automobile batteries. I still pop the covers and check the levels of the electrolyte and add distilled water if needed before charging. Most automobile batteries are not "completely" charged with the alternator alone. I remove the battery and top of the electrolyte, clean the terminals and the battery and then I hook it up to a four stage charger that ensures the battery is charged fully. My Corvette batteries spend their winter on a workbench where they are regularly charged and kept in less severe weather. When re-installed they get charged first and then installed with battery grease keeping oxidation under control and ensuring that I have a good solid battery connections.

Best regards,
Chris
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Old Dec 14, 2020 | 01:02 PM
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I didn't see it in any of the previous posts but how old is the current battery?
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Old Dec 14, 2020 | 01:05 PM
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However old his battery was, it's a year older, now.
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