I got the car running great with the install of the new water pump, but now I have an electrical problem. While driving the car I had to stop and once I started to accelerate again, the engine shut off and the car lost all electrical power. When I turned the key there was an audible klunk from the starter relay but no power was moving to anywhere else. I checked the voltage on the battery and it was completely charged. I changed out the starter relay on the fender but there is still nothing happening. I did put to screwdrivers to the b*** posts and crossed them. The result was sparks and the engine started but once I lifted the screwdrivers the engine died again. Does anyone have ideas here on what else could be wrong?
i did put one of the electrical wires on the side that the starter cable is supposed to be on, could this be what you are talking about?
Sounds like the positive lead from the ignition switch to the solenoid is either bad or grounded out somehow . With the engine only running when "Hot Wire" and then stopping when you take off the hot wire , that means you are loosing the engine running hot lead someplace or it's grounding out . Start at the back of the ignition switch and start checking the wire to the solenoid and the to the battery . Also if you have a resistor in that line that might be your problem also . Just take your time and don't over look anything . If you have an ohm meter that will be the best thing to use to find the voltage drop or loss . Jim
Whoa, Retro Jim. Use a ohm meter to find voltage drop? That will fry the ohm meter (or blow the fuse). I believe you meant to say use a volt meter (or a volt/ohm meter switched to 12vDC). Yes you can use a ohm meter for checking continuity but not voltage drop. Just my 1¢
54HotRod. In your first post you state "the car lost all electrical power". Did you lose lights and everything or just power to the engine. Makes a big difference in diagnosing the problem? Do you have stock wiring or aftermarket wiring? I think we need more info.
Damn it , yes that is what I meant ! that is what I use instead of a test light . Thanks for pointing that one out ! Jim
Jim, I knew exactly what you meant, as that is what I use also, just didn't want someone else to get confused. Don't ask how I know not to do that .
I did miss state that about the electrical. I did not lose electrical to the dash or the exterior lights. The wiring for all of that and the ignition is still the original wiring. The car is on base and I will try to make it there today and check out the wires, maybe take a picture, and hopefully use the information that you guys have given and get her running again.
You can always just use a hot wire from the battery positive to the coil to drive it . I had a 70 Ford that did the same thing many years ago and I got tired of searching for it and did the same thing with a switch under the dash to kill the current from the battery to the coil until I finally found what was wrong . The ignition switch was bad ! BTW I won't ask about the OHM meter but I use to have one when I played in a rock band back in the early 70's . Was making our own power amp with very high wattage . the ohm meter game in handy when hooking up speaker to test the output with . Yes a voltage meter is priceless when looking for a wiring problem . Jim
Jim, I think that you may be right that the ignition has quit on me. I've already made contact with Glenn33 and I will havea wiring harness coming soon, and I'm giong to get a new ignition switch from C&G this weekend. Now all I have to do is find someone that can actually do the rewire and get the car towed off base to the shop. Thanks for all the advice. Steve
Steve , You can do that yourself ! Just read the instructions and look at the pictures until you have it memorized ! Lay the new wiring harness out on the ground first to see how it will be put into your car . The dash is the hardest because you will lay on your back to get it done unless you remove the dash . Also remove the front seat and that will make it much easier to get under the dash too . If you have a problem Glenn will walk you through it . He is a great guy and easy to talk to ! This is also a good time to replace or rebuild the tail light , head light and turn signal sockets . He also has the kits for that . You will need a good wire stripper/crimper tool , wiring terminals , couplers for connecting the wires and some shrink tubing to seal all wiring connections . Glen also has most of that stuff also . Just take your time and you can do it yourself ! Best of all , you can tell everyone you rewired the entire car yourself ! Jim
Jim, I've talked with Jeff and a few other guys about this rewire and everyone says the same thing, DIY. I may actually do that since everyone says its' really not that hard. It just seems like such a daunting task that I've never thought of doing myself. Thanks for the advice. Steve
Steve , wiring isn't really all that bad . It just scares most people when they see all those wires . If you have a problem ask Glenn . He really know his wiring stuff and is very easy to get along with ! He really doesn't mind you asking questions at all . If not we are all here to help you through the process . One other thing , don't just rip and cut all your old wiring out ! Leave it in so you can use the old wiring as a good reference too . That way you can see how Ford did there's when you do your rewire . Jim
I'm glad you said that, I may have just yanked it all out with only hindsight to remind me of how stupid that would be. That is pretty much the way things go for me. A mechanic friend of mine took a look at the car since it hasn't been able to start and leave the base. He said, " I've got your car to start now, but it might catch on fire." He later explained how nothing was grounded right, so today we will get that done at lunch. I just thought I'd share that little bit since it is one of those funny types of things only since the car didn't catch on fire the last two months.
As said already, wiring a car isn't brain surgery. That being said, wiring is usually the biggest PIA when problems arise, BUT, A PROPER GROUND WILL RECTIFY MOST OF THEM.
As I have learned long ago , you can never have too many grounds straps on your car ! Glad you car didn't catch fire too ! Glenn also has some ground straps , if not Advanced Auto has them or most any good parts supplier . Jim
When I did my swap I ran ground straps from the alternator bracket to the frame and another from the intake manifold to the firewall.
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