Electrical help

[Derekaz]

I bought my first Jeep 2 days ago. It's a 1980 CJ5 with the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l inline 6. I brought it home and wanted to do some tune up items to it. It got new plugs, plug wires, new distributor cap. Went to start it and nothing has power now. Thought it could be the coil or starting cylinoid, replaced both. Any thoughts to what I did to it?

 

[Torxhead]

Define "nothing has power now", is it like when you turn the ignition key over and nothing happens, do you at least hear a "click"? or do other locations have no power like the headlights?

 

[Derekaz]

No click, nothing. Not even headlights or the radio.

 

[Torxhead]

Check for a secure connection from the battery to the starter relay. There are two fusible links coming from that relay connection. One sends power from the alternator, so check for 12v at the the red wire at the alternator. The other fusible link sends power to the rest of the Jeep like the horn,ignition, and light switch.

 

[Derekaz]

There is no power to the red wire at the back of the alternator. The starter cylinoid has a good battery connection, there is 12 v showing there. There is not any voltage showing on the other side of the cylinoid, even when the key is in the on position.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Volts ain't amps. Amps is what turns the starter.
Your battery should show at least 12.5 volts at the terminals.
You have a dead battery---
LG

 

[Derekaz]

That's my error in terminology. We tried jumping it too, no luck

 

[Flex BT]

Did you DC the battery when you did the other work? Any chance you've got a crappy connection? That's what I would think if you don't get any lights or anything with the key in the "on" position. That, a blown fuse somewhere in the ignition system, or a dead-*** battery.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

That can happen because your dead battery is suc'n all the juice into it.
Take your dead batt. out, and install another KNOWN good battery, and try it.
Good luck,
LG

 

[Torxhead]

There is no power to the red wire at the back of the alternator. The starter cylinoid has a good battery connection, there is 12 v showing there. There is not any voltage showing on the other side of the cylinoid, even when the key is in the on position.

If you get 12v to starter relay terminal from the battery and none at the red wire to the alternator there is a fusible link between the alternator and the starter relay which is located close to the relay. You could have shorted out that fusible link during the tune up operation. There is only voltage on the opposite ends of the relay when the starter is in the start position.

 

[IOPort51]

Did you remove or replace the battery cable ??

 

[007]

Did you remove or replace the battery cable ??

I've been bitten by " 2 " bad ground cables in my life and there will not be a third as cheap as they are.

Those not having been through this would be amazed at how nice a "bad" battery cable can look...

 

[74G8R2]

If you have a tilt steering wheel, try starting it with the wheel in both the full up and full down positions. Sounds crazy I know....worked for me....just sayin'.

 

[jdcaples]

<snip>
Those not having been through this would be amazed at how nice a "bad" battery cable can look...

+1

I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm a fan of home made battery cables using 1/0 welding cable, tinned lugs, soldering and sealing the ends with adhesive-lined, marine grade heat shrink tubing.

I just wish I didn't visualize my battery cables every time I turn the ignition key; but I do and it's terrible.


-Jon

 

[Flex BT]

Don't leave us hanging! What was the culprit?