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Thread: 1971 skylark everything is dead

  1. #1
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    1971 skylark everything is dead

    '71 skylark, 350, a/c,auto
    yesterday ran fine...now I have no power, no horn, lights, etc,
    will not crank...battery has lot of juice, checked fuses all ok,
    checked battery connections all ok...where and what else do
    I look/check to restore power.???
    Thanks for all replies

  2. #2
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    May have a problem with the fusable links by the starter. Those wires get frayed and damaged.
    86 GN, all factory options, engine build in progress
    72 Skylark Convertible, 462, TH 400
    72 GSX Clone 464, TH400, 3:42. 10.71 @126mph best

    We build GM carburetors and specialize in custom built Quadrajets

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  3. #3
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    Has any work been done under the hood?

    look for a loose ground strap (block to body) coil & dist ground.

    cann you "hotspin" (battery positive to starter).

    how bout the resistance wire? could be frayed and touching the block somewhere.

    check any wires that run past the manifold/exhaust header

    keep us posted
    Butch

    oh yea.... if it's auto trans, check the lock out switch on the lower steering column. you can check the switch by shorting the two wires and try to start it. if it starts, switch is bad or terminals dirty/corrode.

    remember, it WILL then start even if it is in gear.
    Last edited by WildKitty; 10-22-2010 at 11:36 PM. Reason: I forgot

  4. #4
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    thanks......so far it's been the + cable which looked fine but was funky inside...
    runs good now....except the alternator light stays on....alternator is charging
    and battery is fine....but light stays faintly lighted regardless of rpms...
    oh well...must be a ground thingy I hope.

  5. #5
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    disconnect the ground wire from the battery, use a volt meter, with the + on the voltmeter on the block or chassis check to see if there is voltage between the chassis or block and the neg post on the battery. if so, that indicates there is a hot wire touching the car body somewhere. it could be as simple as water in one of the light sockets.

    I attached a 15ft wire to the neg post on the battery clipped to the neg lead on the voltmeter and walked around the car touching it with the + lead on the voltmeter. the closer you get to the culprit, the more voltage will show up on the meter. my short was the positive wire going to the starter shorted to the exhaust header.

    the car will start and run fine, but if it sits for a few days, the battery will discharge.

    64 Wildcat
    64 LeSabre
    Butch

  6. #6
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    thanks.....hope I find something

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