Topic: 79 403 has no power at all

[stunterdude]

car has been sitting for years........ starter was off the car when i got it and the wire were cut instead of unbolting them for some reason.......put a new battery in, put a new starter,new cables..... turned the key and not a dam thing.....any ideas?? i may have wired the starer wrong but i doubt it as its pretty strait foward......thanks guys

[eroc022]

Check fuses, then stud on back of alternator, test light helps, but the purple wire is on the s side of the starter

[Tin Indians Rule]

YEah, throw us a few more clues. Does the horn work, will the wipers turn on, does it click, do the lights on the dash come on when you turn the key on...
Only you know if you wired the starter wrong. Double check it.

[stunterdude]

all fuses are good, the positive cable from the batt to the starter seemed in good shape so i left it but on closer inspection there is cracked insulation on it exposing the bare wire...... mabey this is it???

[stunterdude]

YEah, throw us a few more clues. Does the horn work, will the wipers turn on, does it click, do the lights on the dash come on when you turn the key on...
Only you know if you wired the starter wrong. Double check it.

nothing happens at all, no lights, no clicking, no horn, absolutely nothing happens when i turn the key....

[Tin Indians Rule]

Guessing I'd say a bad ground considering you have nothing. Check for voltage at the starter with a test light just to be sure you have power at least that far.

[stunterdude]

could it be the positive wire from the battery to the starter?? i just found a bunch of cracked and missing insulation that left the wire exposed.....i heard thats all it takes to stop all the power on the 403s

[HOMER]

i had the same prob mine was the little red wire from by the firewall down to the starter

[stunterdude]

only thing i can think of os the positive cable from the batt to starter is bad from insulation being damaged exposing the bare wire......gona give it a try in a few, thanks alot guys

[Tin Indians Rule]

Thats why I said check for voltage at the starter with a test light. If the power is at the big post where the battery cable attaches to the starter then you know your cable is not corroded. Then you jump the solenoid and see what happens. You can chase it and throw parts at it or you can test it in sequence.

[stunterdude]

Thats why I said check for voltage at the starter with a test light. If the power is at the big post where the battery cable attaches to the starter then you know your cable is not corroded. Then you jump the solenoid and see what happens. You can chase it and throw parts at it or you can test it in sequence.

checked it, there is power going threw the cable...... there are two smaller wires there and im not sure wich side they go on........

[Tin Indians Rule]

One of those two is the switched lead from the harness and it goes to the "S" terminal on the solenoid if memory serves me correctly. Been awhile and I don't have any diagrams in the house to confirm. It would light up the test light when you turn the key to engage the starter.

[ta78w72]

You may have a bad fusible link.  If you're not getting any power to the cabin, and you've got power on the positive cable, that could be a clue that there is a burned out fusible link.  You'll need to pull the wire loom off the harness and visually inspect everything.  Also, measure for voltage at the engine side of the bulkhead connector.  Check the service manual for where to measure.

Also, check the service manual for where the fusible links are for your car.

On reading through all the posts, I kind of concur with Tin Indian.....you probably haven't wire the starter correctly.

[stunterdude]

anyone have a diagram for the starter???

[stunterdude]

well i managed to get some power to the car(dome lights, radio, and one tail light lol) thats all thats work and the starter wont turn over....