CUTLASS Lost all power, fuse box help?

[g0thiac]

Well, the 84 Cutlass definitely needs a lot of electrical work done on it.

Previous owner, said he had problems with the wiper motor blowing a fuse, so he wired on a small switch to the fuse box. Yes, that is not safe but I thought it was just, an issue with the wiring there.

So I put it aside.

Well, anyway the charge light on the dash gets very bright, and dim and at other times.

Because the alternator didn't charge the battery either, the 2 wires at the top, so I replaced them and cleaned the connector.

And I wasn't surprised to see the the wire going to the battery was in pretty rough shape.

So I replaced that with a 4 gauge wire, and it started charging ok.


And another issue is I can crank the starter over fine. Other times not so good.

So I replaced the ground cable. Ran better for awhile. Then started acting up, again especially after I advanced my timing.

Then I replaced the cable, going to the starter. Went ok, but as I was working on it the two main power wires, GM runs from off the main bolt, back to the harness broke off from the connector, just like with my Delta so now there was no power going to the fuse block 🥵🖕🖕🖕

Although this was a factory connection, I am not too upset, wasn't duct taped by some shît owner from before then man- it could have broken off during driving, it must have had maybe, what 4-5 strands of wiring keeping that on 🙃😭😭😭

So like with the other instance- I decided to make it easy, wired the 2 main red power cables directly to battery with my own fusible link, and NOT off the starter.

And the power worked for a few minutes. But it didn't want to crank, and eventually again I lost all lights as if one of the battery cables were not connected.

But I know this is no cable I put in, because the + terminal now starts to get hot, indicating a short or bad ground at the fuse block or alternator.

 

[g0thiac]

Oh and before you guys post, I checked to be sure, it wasn't a bad ground under the hood, I took my booster cables, and added a few connections at the frame , plus near the ground strap- still nothing.

So does anyone, know and can help me with pictures of bulkhead at the firewall and the fuse block from the back? How do I disconnect it?

A electrical schematic would be great, also if anyone can share, thanks guys

 

[g0thiac]

So heres what I found guys.

The constant power wire, running from the dash, has a short, and is why it kept getting the battery terminal hot.

However, past that going back to the fused circuit breaker labelled PWR, had zero voltage going to it and no short.

So I cut the wire coming off the steering wheel and wired from the back of the box, directly to battery + and now I have 12V where the circuit breaker goes.

I tried flipping my lights on, and I can hear the door chime faintly but thats it. Nothing else is on the dash, but I found no blown fuses, and at thankfully the positive connection at the battery has regular temps again 🧐😭😭😭

So I need to know, if anyone has a diagram where is the grounds inside the vehicle and the 12v wiring, that goes from the fuse box to the ignition tbh!

 

[g0thiac]

It's as if, theres no ground or the +12v wiring, under the dash is not receiving power.

Which makes no sense, I have 12V at the circuit breaker and CTSY/CLK, and the fuse box is getting the volts from the other red wire that runs off the courteousy fuse, which I didn't have to cut.

So it's like wiring going into the fuse box, now is fine but exiting, not so much.

If anyone, has the wiring harness colors, and a diagram of a 1984 Oldsmobile that would be great, just trying to not have to tear out all the wiring if possible, would be appreciated folks- thanks 😎🤟🤟🤟

 

[84 W40]

Here you go and take your time.

 

[g0thiac]

Here you go and take your time.

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This helped me figure out most of what I was wondering, so thanks. Also I need the pages for the distribution of gnd and also c100 bulkhead as well, at firewall if you can, thank you, have a great night man 😝🤘🤘🤘

 

[84 W40]

This helped me figure out most of what I was wondering, so thanks. Also I need the pages for the distribution of gnd and also c100 bulkhead as well, at firewall if you can, thank you, have a great night man 😝🤘🤘🤘

 

[g0thiac]

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Awesome, thank you.

If you have the diagram, for where the location of S213 main ground is, that would be great.

Otherwise, this should be everything I need to make it run again 😎💪💪💪

 

[84 W40]

Awesome, thank you.

If you have the diagram, for where the location of S213 main ground is, that would be great.

Otherwise, this should be everything I need to make it run again 😎💪💪💪

 

[g0thiac]

View attachment 221043

For sure I saw that, I just wondered if there was an illustration.

Will have to follow one wire and see where each splice goes, I am upgrading the grounds hopefully soon