Car Won't Start: Fusable Link - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

TimRS · 08-12-2009, 01:47 PM

OK guys I have electronics question. A couple of months ago my wife and I went to the mountains on vacation. When I returned I planned to change my radiator which was leaking. While in the mountains I broke my foot and had to have surgery and was off my feet for about two months. So once I'm back up and moving around I go out to start the RS so that I can move it and begin the radiator work. It won't start; no juice in the battery. I charge the battery and try to start and the black junction block by the battery starts to smoke. What I believe is a fusable link now has the smaller guage wire broken between the fuse and junction block. I spliced this back together and tried to start but no luck. The starter turns over and I have lights, HVAC fan, but not radio and the ignition is not sparking. I sure of the ignition because I removed the coil wire from the distributor and left it close enough to the post on the distributor to see if it would arc and nothing happened. I also do not hear the electric fuel pump cycle when you turn the key. Does this entire fusable link need to be changed or do you guys have any other ideas?

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TimRS · 08-13-2009, 05:58 AM

Somebody has got to have some idea or experienced something similiar.

NINÅ · 08-13-2009, 02:25 PM

See if you have power at the fuel pump relay pin A.

This pin needs to be ‘hot’ at all times regardless of the position of the key.

If it isn’t, there is an inline fuse or fusible link connected to an orange wire which you should find as you trace from the relay towards the battery.

Happy Racing!

If People Drove Any Slower They’d Be Going Backwards

Fog lights are not driving lights. They look dorky. Turn em off slow pokes.

How bout those dorks too scared to drive without headlights on in the daytime!

.
.

Pocket · 08-13-2009, 07:47 PM

Fusible links are located near the junction block you found and on the starter wires

Fusible links are just a fuse in a wire to prevent surges. Go to any parts store and get a blade fuse pigtail and splice that in place of the link

skirkland1980 · 08-13-2009, 10:18 PM

hey neighbor. get a schematic and find where the volt drop is. use a test light to check those links.

tony_cogliandro · 08-13-2009, 10:28 PM

pm me with an email address and i will send you the entire wiring diagram including the 7 fuseable link areas. its from my 90.

skirkland1980 · 08-14-2009, 08:25 AM

if you already have a schematic, disconnect the ecm, use a dvom and check power and ground at the ecm pins

skirkland1980 · 08-14-2009, 08:26 AM

my email is chevycamy@yahoo.com

TimRS · 08-14-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NINÅ

See if you have power at the fuel pump relay pin A.

This pin needs to be ‘hot’ at all times regardless of the position of the key.

If it isn’t, there is an inline fuse or fusible link connected to an orange wire which you should find as you trace from the relay towards the battery.
[/b]

Excuse my ignorance, but where is the fuel pump relay? Is toward the rear under the car close the gas tank?

Pocket · 08-14-2009, 08:48 PM

Near the brake booster on the firewall

There should be 2-3 depending on how many fans you have. The fuel pump relay will have a red wire lead with a black connector sticking out not connected to anything

Unplug it and test voltage on the orange wire, or simply supply 12v to the red wire and listen for the fuel pump to prime

TimRS · 08-15-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pocket

Near the brake booster on the firewall

There should be 2-3 depending on how many fans you have. The fuel pump relay will have a red wire lead with a black connector sticking out not connected to anything

Unplug it and test voltage on the orange wire, or simply supply 12v to the red wire and listen for the fuel pump to prime

Thanks Pocket. I'm gonna give this a try this afternoon. I'll post what I find.

Badley · 08-15-2009, 12:38 PM

You will need to replace the whole link. Make sure you install a link that is 4 sizes smaller than the wire it connecting to. Example, if your connecting to a 10 Gauge wire you will need to use a 14 Gauge fusable link. Hope this helps.

Jason Badley