No power - electrical that is!

[showman]

Last weekend, I parked my 84, came back to it and turned the ignition...just a click then nothing - everything dead - no warning lights, anything.

A few seconds of thinking "what the @#%$*...", tried it again and had no problem.

Last night, same thing happened, I tried it a couple times, then boom, starting like normal.

Now it is sitting in my driveway - DEAD! I mean not an ohm of power is getting anywhere. The dealer I bought it from said the previous owner didn't use or know how to use the alarm system and unplugged the wires to the horn. If you lock the door, then unlock it, the car won't start and you have to disconnect the battery for a second and you're in business.

I thought the security system just cut-off power to the starter? HELP?

 

[JonM]

Sounds like it could be a number of things...from a bad Theft Deterrent Module, bad door switches or bad frayed starter wires...check the wires at the starter, they are right next to the exaust and get old and frayed. Try the passenger side door with the key...see if that resets the alarm ...you can also unplug the module under the pass side hush pad (the ecm is next to it so don't unplug that) or their is a starter interupt fuse behind the center information center. You need to get your multimeter out and start hunting.

http://misterbill.homeip.net/vette/wiring/theft%20deterrent%20system1.jpg
http://misterbill.homeip.net/vette/wiring/theft%20deterrent%20system2.jpg

You may also want to post this on the crossfire site...some pretty good guys over there who know the 84 inside and out.

http://www.crossfire.homeip.net/

 

[tnovot]

If this is an intermittent problem, it is not likely to be caused by a bad fuse. I assume you have already checked the hot and ground battery leads for tightness? Back each one off and retighten or better yet, remove each one and check for corrosion, clean with baking soda/water mixture if needed, and reattach.
Always a good idea to start with the simplest and easiest things first.

 

[John Robinson]

Also Check

As suggested check the ground battery terminals but also check the wires to the starter. This sounds an awful lot like an intermittant ground somewhere. As mentioned in an earlier post don't jump off the deep end until you check all the cheap things first.:cool

 

[showman]

Thanks for the help - ground cable question

I've been experiencing an oil and coolant leak in the past few months, dripping in the same area just below the front of the engine. It's gotta be sliming-up the ground cable that's just behind the leak.

I'm going to jack up the car (vette, it's not a "car") tomorrow and 1) Try to figure out why both oil and coolant are leaking in the same spot and 2) If my ground is drowing in the goop of it.

Does anyone know what other cables are running with the ground wire...I see coiled covers around all of my cables, and the ground cable is in this and looks like there are more than just a ground wire in there.

Cheers folks!