I drove my car from LA to Chino Hills which is about 30 miles. When I got to my drive way I turned off the headlights and left the dome light on for a moment. Then the car shut off. I tried to turn it back on and nothing. I tested the battery with a voltmeter and was receiving about 13 volts. My assumption says the battery is ok. What else should I be looking for?
I like the idea of checking, cleaning, tightening all the cable connections, no matter if ground, hot, or battery. Then you may also have a fusible link in there somewhere. I suppose that depends on the year of the car. I don't know if the earlier ones have them. Fusible links can go instantly and for no apparent reason.
I hear no clicking noise. It was idling and it just died. As far as a fusible link? I do not know what that is or what it looks like. Car is still dead
Does the car crank over, or nothing at all? That would help narrow it down somewhat. If it cranks it could be a bad coil, duraspark if you have that, fusible link. Or could be your gas gauge is broken and your out of gas?
I did a continuity test from the negative cable to the engine. Checked ok. I checked connections from the spark plugs and wires. I removed the distributor cap and noticed the points and condenser are kind of old. Would bad points be the reason the car does not start? I mean I am getting nothing at all. No turnover, No lights, nothing. The car is dead. I found my car in a dirt parking lot in Vegas. I have been working on it myself since. I have replaced a lot of stuff and know there is much more to be done. I just do not know some things. I do have the repair manual as well as the owner's manual.
First step I would take here is to be sure all cable connections are clean and getting good contact. If you don't have lights or anything, I'm thinking ratio's suggestion is very likely. Fusible link blew. To find the fusible link, look at your starter solenoid, there should be two wires coming off of it other then the battery cables. On my car, these wires are yellow and green, and the fusible link is on them, clearly marked "FUSIBLE LINK". The power for the entire car is connected to the battery at that point. Also, you state you checked continuity between the engine and battery, but have you checked continuity between the battery and the body of the car (negative side)?
Fusible link is most likely the problem as listed above. Make sure your battery terminals are tight also, I had a truck once that they seemed tight but you could twist the terminals themselfs and it would make connection.
follow the path of power. take the volt meter, put it on volts. leave the neg on the neg of the bat. now move the pos side of the volt meter to the starter solonid, then got to the fuse pannel. if you still have power the fuesable link is good. if not its probley bad.
Ok. Chilton's repair manual does not mention a FUSIBLE LINK-However There is mention of the Starter Relay and the alternator Regulator. Sorry for the wetness behind the ear. I cannot locate the fusible link mentioned.
Sorry I found it. You guys were right it is clearly labeled it was just in a dark place. How do I go about replacing it? What auto parts would have such a part? ANd How difficult would it be to replace this thing? Thank you everyone for your input.
Alot of people just cut them out... but if you want to replace it, you'd just cut the factory one out, and butt connect the new one in. Most any store should have it I'm assuming. I searched partsamerica.com for one, but none showed up for a 71 Maverick. Maybe they are in the help section or they aren't listed on the website.
You can also use an in-line fuse. Get a fuse the same amp rating or higher than your alternator. Usually that is 60 amp, but if you have converted the alternator to a higher output one.
