Well, I went to go start my car the other day, turn the key and I hear this pop from the engine compartment and then everthing just goes dead. I could faintly smell something burning, but there was no smoke. I couldn't see anything wrong, so I pulled the battery out and had it tested. It was fine.

It's odd, because everything in the car is dead except the dome light, headlights and rear hatch release. The door locks make a strange clicking noise when you try to use them but they won't actually move the locks.

The noise sounded like it came from the front right of the car, where the battery sits, though I could be wrong.

What do you guys think this could be? I checked all the fuses, none are bad. Fusible link possibly? Something with the starter or alternator? I dunno. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

btw, the car is an '87 Iroc. Thanks.

 

i would check the fusible links at starter.these "links"are sections of wire designed to burn in half before any other wires do.these also feed the two red wires that feed power in the ign switch.i would be glad to answer any questions you have, feel free to email me.

 

how did you have the battery tested? AN almost dead battery will still read good voltage. You want good amperage. I had a problem with my radio not working, thought it was a fuse somewhere. 2 Days later my alternator died. Swapped it and everything was fine, including the radio. My wife's car started having the airbag light blink, I went to take the car for a ride to see what was up, pulled out of the driveway, and the alternator died. A bad alternator can do some wierd **** before it finally goes. I'd have that checked, most parts stores will do it for free.

 

If you do find a burned-out fusible link make sure to trace down the cause of the over-current condition before replacing it...shorted wire, bad alt...etc.

BTW sweet lookin' ride there Dr.

 

That sounds like either one of the bands on the alternator popped, or you're battery died! The SAME thing happened to me bro, as when I bought my IROC.... the dweeb that sold it to me left the batter cables loose at the battery, and while I was driving the first night I bought the car..... I went to put the headlights on, then POP!!!!

My alternator immediately started sqealing, ALL the lights went dim to the point of not even being on.... I barely got home, as the car was running completely off of whatever juice the battery had left (but in my case....it was the alternator that went bad)....

Disconnect you're alternator, and try to start the car..... if the car starts up, and idles well, you're alternator is shot.

If not, get the car started (jumped), then disconnect the battery (while the car is running), the engine will run off of the alternator, don't worry..... wait a minute or two, then reconnect the battery again. If the charge (once you reconnect the battery again, at that very moment), gets brought down LOW (you'll hear it).... the battery is shot!

A good battery always comes back though. Disconnect the battery, and let it sit for 24 hours. Hook it back up, and if you're power locks still 'tick', then you definitely need a new battery bro.....

Of course.... check for the obvious. Make sure you're cables are secure by the battery, starter, alterator.... and their ground.

 

no - iam sure you blew your fusable links near teh starter. find out which one blew and trace it until you find the short. i had to take just about everything out of the engine compartment to get at all the harnesses. its such a pain in the *** to do. id also remove all wires that go to the starter and drop them over the front of the a-arm so its easier to work with. also, do a good job fixing the short, and do an even better job on the fusable links.
my short was on the passenger side. there is a ground strap that goes from the back of the block to the wire wall and the strap was pointed like / instead of | and the red wire that went into the hole with the heater hose rubbed against it. have fun man and good luck becuse i know it will suck.
:>

 

Well, there was a wire blown out after one of the fusible links near the starter. All the insulation gone and the wire severed. I replaced the wire and the links were apparently good because it fired right up.

But, with my luck, I took the car down to the gas station because it was out. Fill it up, go to start it and POOF. Nice plume of smoke and all the wiring I just fixed was melted into nothing.

Just got it towed back to my house and here I am now.

Anyone know what would be causing this? I haven't looked at it yet this second time, but it looked like only the wiring on one of the links went. The other looked alright.

This is just great, and all on my birthday too.

 

Sounds like you have an ignition wire shorted to ground on the "crank" side of the house, gotta track it down. possibly the starter is shorted internally. May want to pull it and have it tested.

 

Make sure you have all your grounds tight because that'll burn a wire real quick to. Did it on a motor swap once. Burned the casing off the ground that connects the battery to the body.