no power problem

[G_Body_Enthusiast]

ok i need help here. it should be easy to fix but rather than chasing down a bunch of stuff ill just give you the problem and maybe one of you can give me the answer.

my car has NO power, zero, zilch, nada. i was trying to jump the car one day as i was having battery problems disconnected one of the battery cables (dont ask why, i still dont know why i did that) and next thing i know my car has zero power to anything when i tried connecting the cable. no lights, no nothing.

now did i pop a fuse or did i burn up a fusible link or both?

i'd really like to know cuz i'd like to get the car running again and im not in the mood to chase electrical demons down. im still somewhat recovering from being in the hospital a while ago and just want to know what to fix so i can get it going again.

 

[Geesie]

First thing, check the voltage on your battery. Second, check all your terminal connections for tightness and corrosion.

 

[G_Body_Enthusiast]

you dont understand...when i put the cable back on AND the other car was still hooked up to mine i was getting ZERO power. something popped when i took my cable off.

i checked my fuses, they're all fine. i think its a fusible link.

 

[Geesie]

Wait - so even when the other car's cable was hooked to your battery, you couldn't get it to start?

Since the positive battery terminal goes directly to the starter motor, I'd bet dollars to donuts that the fusible link on the starter motor is fused.

 

[G_Body_Enthusiast]

thats what im thinking, the fusible link at the starter went poof when i made my faux pas with the cable. cuz after i put it back on i got no electricity to anything, not the dome light which worked before i goofed, not the headlights, not the cigarette lighter, the radio, nothing.

at least i know its not a fuse. i was suspecting fusible link but i've been loathe to squeeze my oversized butt under the car to see it.

 

[dan2286]

Doesnt the fuse panel get power from a terminal on the starter? I would assume to check for continuity form the terminal on the starter to the fuse panel and continuity from the battery to the starter. It most llikely is the fusible link but is is always better to be sure.

 

[megaladon6]

does the battery/car use side terminals?

 

[JESSE]

no power

all you have to do to check a fusible link is pull on it, the hard part is replacing it.

 

[G_Body_Enthusiast]

alright i looked at a wiring diagram and i see two fusible links that can be the problem and most likely ARE the problem. i'll try to check them when the weather cools down again, im not dragging my butt under the car when its in the 90's.

 

[G_Body_Enthusiast]

ok back to this problem. i looked at the fusible links at the starter and they looked fine.

where else can i look to see where this no power issue is coming from?

because i do NOT want to take this car to a shop and shell out money i dont have to fix a problem i can do myself IF i can find where the problem is.

i cant be the only person to have had this problem.