Starting Issue, fusible link??

[Wyoming32]

Grew up wanting a 79 Camaro like my dad had in high school, finally was able to get my hands on a 79 Berlinetta, completely stock and original. I bought it, drove it 9 hours home, and put 3000 miles on it. Several hour long drives, dirt roads, never let me down. Until my latest trip in it.

Started up just fine, drove it to the gas station ~30 min away. Filled up, turned the key, and nothing. No starter click, no lights, no power to radio, nothing. RPM gauge spun slowly and stopped. The only thing that has power is the dome light on the inside. It turns on when you open the door, but anytime you do anything that would draw power it goes out. (Turn the key, press the break, turn headlight knob on). After, it will slowly get bright again.

Other than that, no headlights, no power to radio, no dash lights, absolutely nothing besides dim dome light. No click when key turns like the starter is stuck. Just nothing.

I have beat on the starter. I have checked the fuses. I have cleaned both battery terminals, as well as completely replaced the ground cable. Battery is tested and is good. On the positive terminal there is a 4 gauge wire running to the fire wall, and another 4 gauge running to the starter. I am at a loss. Fusible link? What are my next steps? Thank you.

 

[Gary S]

I would check the battery cables again. If the light goes out when power is demanded, that says that the cables aren't supplying enough power to do the job.

 

[mallard]

Does this only happen when you turn the key to start? And when you release the key you get the other power back? If so I’d suspect an open in the starter. If the power recovery is non existent or very slow I think Gary is right. If the positive cable is tight to the starter you may have to start carefully slicing open the positive cable to have a look as they can get full of corrosion even though the ends appear fine.

you can also try jumping the starter at the solenoid to see if it will crank that way. Give you some more clues.

 

[Wyoming32]

Does this only happen when you turn the key to start? And when you release the key you get the other power back? If so I’d suspect an open in the starter. If the power recovery is non existent or very slow I think Gary is right. If the positive cable is tight to the starter you may have to start carefully slicing open the positive cable to have a look as they can get full of corrosion even though the ends appear fine.

you can also try jumping the starter at the solenoid to see if it will crank that way. Give you some more clues.

No power at all, turning key or not. The dome light will shut off and slowly come back on, otherwise everything else is off and stays off. I’m thinking I may have to run a new wire from the battery to the starter. What does the cable running into the firewall feed?

 

[mallard]

Off hand, not sure. (Been a lot of years) got a pic?

 

[mallard]

You can also put a volt meter on the starter terminal that holds the positive cable and check your voltage there too.

 

[COPO]

Also make sure the steering column is moved to where it s/b when in park.
Check the wires at the distributor including the module.
Check for worn wires at the starter.
I have a new top post neg batt cable that I use when charging the batt outside the car during the winter and with my 1.25 A maintainer and it reads 00.0 ohms end to end.

 

[Chris Greenley]

Grew up wanting a 79 Camaro like my dad had in high school, finally was able to get my hands on a 79 Berlinetta, completely stock and original. I bought it, drove it 9 hours home, and put 3000 miles on it. Several hour long drives, dirt roads, never let me down. Until my latest trip in it.

Started up just fine, drove it to the gas station ~30 min away. Filled up, turned the key, and nothing. No starter click, no lights, no power to radio, nothing. RPM gauge spun slowly and stopped. The only thing that has power is the dome light on the inside. It turns on when you open the door, but anytime you do anything that would draw power it goes out. (Turn the key, press the break, turn headlight knob on). After, it will slowly get bright again.

Other than that, no headlights, no power to radio, no dash lights, absolutely nothing besides dim dome light. No click when key turns like the starter is stuck. Just nothing.

I have beat on the starter. I have checked the fuses. I have cleaned both battery terminals, as well as completely replaced the ground cable. Battery is tested and is good. On the positive terminal there is a 4 gauge wire running to the fire wall, and another 4 gauge running to the starter. I am at a loss. Fusible link? What are my next steps? Thank you.

Mine did the same thing there's a fusable link its behind the starter its very hard to see hope this gets that classic back on the road

 

[Twisted_Metal]

I had an identical issue several years ago.
I thought it was the fusible links and I replaced them... Found it was a loose connection on the positive battery cable to the starter.
Wish I had looked closer before I cut off my factory fusible links.

 

[Chris Greenley]

I had an identical issue several years ago.
I thought it was the fusible links and I replaced them... Found it was a loose connection on the positive battery cable to the starter.
Wish I had looked closer before I cut off my factory fusible links.

Yep chasing wires is no fun brother