72 Z wont start

[fvdillon]

My 72 seems to be dead. I was trying to get my AMP gauge plugged in(pushing it in with a screwdriver) I touched something, sparked. Got it plugged in now it won't start. Its dead like when you don't push the clutch all the way. The headlights,radio,dome light inst lights up. With ignition on I put my test light on all the fuses, all lit up except the 3 amp IGN fuse. Replaced that still wont light up. I don't really know how it works,so I pushed clutch in and tried to crank, still wont light up. I'm pretty lost as far as electrical. Any ideas? Thanks Jim

 

[72SS9681]

My guess would be that you've blow a fusible link. I don't have a wiring diagram that shows gauge wiring so its hard for me to say were to start. I believe the amp gauge is feed from the main charging system (alternator) so I would start by checking the fusible link that go's from the horn relay to the main harness.

 

[mallard]

You could also see if the engine will turn over by jumping the starter at the solenoid.

 

[grzewnicki]

Yea, check your fusible links at the horn relay, the black and the orange wires there both have fusible links. Hopefully you didn't blow a fusible link at the starter. The horn relay stud is sort of main junction point connecting the charging system wiring to the fuse block.

 

[fvdillon]

Thanks everyone. I'll check fusible link when I get done working today. Jim

 

[fvdillon]

Still getting no where. I have power to the starter, power up to the horn relay, power in the orange wire where fusible link is. Can't get test light to light up at IGN in fuse box. Power on, thought maybe I had to have key in startup position, still no power at IGN.

 

[Lincolnfxr]

If you looking at the fuse box and you are referring to the small 3a fuse in the bottom middle, that fuse is actually for the instrument lights will only get power when the headlights are on. The ign stamp on the box is for the spade terminal.above the 3amp fuse. Possibly you knocked a connector loose for neutral safety? Or the column linkage is turned slightly?

 

[fvdillon]

Oh geeze, well that makes sense about the fuse, but car still dead. I found the neutral safety switch (purple wire) is still hooked up and that wire has power also

 

[Lincolnfxr]

Ok, should be 2 purples at the switch. A purple and a purple with a tracer, probably white. One should have power when in crank only. When the switch is depressed, power goes through and out the firewall bulkhead and down to the starter "s" terminal.

 

[fvdillon]

Yes, thats the wire, it's hooked up. How would I tell if my neutral switch is bad?