Won't start/electrical problems

[blazin topless 75]

Won\'t start/electrical problems

I am looking at a parts truck, but it won't start. It is an '88 with TBI. When I turn the key, I get no light/gauge movement, and the engine will not crank. The headlights, interior lights, and the clock works, but that is about it. We used a meter to check the battery voltage, and it is kicking 12 volts. When we hooked up a remote switch to the starter, it cranked but didn't start. The guy that owns it said that it worked fine when he parked it-4 years ago. Any ideas on what it could be? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[frankin5]

Re: Won\'t start/electrical problems

check the fuse to the ignition in the fuse block. check the fusable link the feeds the fuse block. /forums/images/graemlins/k5.gif

 

[blazin topless 75]

Re: Won\'t start/electrical problems

We checked the fusible link on the firewall-it was corroded so we cleaned it up. I believe that he checked the fuse in the box and that was good as well.

 

[frankin5]

Re: Won\'t start/electrical problems

fusable link is a smaller gauge wire spliced into the larger wire at one end. it is designed to to go away if it is shorted. just looking is not a way to tell if it is good.

 

[blazin topless 75]

Re: Won\'t start/electrical problems

Would that affect the gauges, radio and everything else but the lights and clock?

 

[spearchucker]

Re: Won\'t start/electrical problems

[ QUOTE ]
The guy that owns it said that it worked fine when he parked it-4 years ago

[/ QUOTE ]
It probably will never start. It's got stale gas, the pistons may be frozen, corrosion on electrical parts, etc. You'll need to go trough it and do a complete tune-up probably.

 

[blazin topless 75]

Re: Won\'t start/electrical problems

The engine is not frozen-we got it to turn over using a remote switch. You are probably right about the wiring.

 

[dyeager535]

Re: Won\'t start/electrical problems

IIRC the way some of these are fused/fusible linked is that if one link dies, only half the fuse panel (and half the vehicle) gets power.

I *thought* all these trucks ran two fusible links from the starter to the "junction" on the firewall, then to the fuse panel as two seperate wires, but I also think that on some of the trucks, the two fusible links "join" at the junction on the firewall, so one dead fusible link shouldn't matter.

Of course, thats how mine is set up, two fusible links to the junction block, but I never looked closely to see if the wires stay seperate all the way to the fuse panel or not.

 

[blazin topless 75]

Re: Won\'t start/electrical problems

This truck ran 1 positive lead to a junction on the firewall, then 2 wires (at least 1 fusible link) out of that to the fusebox. It could be that they are both fusible links and that one is shot.

 

[dyeager535]

Re: Won\'t start/electrical problems

Both should be hot all the time, so if you've got voltage on them, they are fine.