Hello All.

I have a 1988 Firebird that has the darndest condition.

The main fuse keeps blowing and the car goes completely dead.

The origninal owner thought it was the headlight actuator relay since he tested the plug to the motor and saw it had voltage.

I disagree with that assumption since even though the plugs to the motors were unplugged, the fuse would still blow.

Basically what I found is that when I hit a pretty good sized pot hole, the care immediatly went dead.

No power to anything.

Luckily the previous owner put in two (2) inline fuses off the positive post of the battery (30A) which I quickly replaced and was right back on the road. Only one of the fuses blew, so I guess I have to double check to see if each wire feeds different components or just go to the same place.

My guess is there is a bad ground or wire somewhere that is getting pinched and causing the failure.

Anyone else have any ideas or ways to try and isolate this issue?

Thanks,

Steve C - RI

 

Main fuse? Do you mean a fuseable link?


I bet there is a positive wire going to the starter which is rubbed through.

 

Yes.

If you look at the positive post, there are two fusable links he added that accept regular 30A fuses. After I hit the pot hole, one of the fuses blew and the car went stone dead.

I litterally just got the car last night, so up on the lift it's going. Hopefully I can find the short.

Steve C - RI

 

EUREKA!!!!!!!

As nice as the OEM Stereo Cassette sounds, it was/is the culprit!!!

With the key turned on, if I slap the side of the dash to the right of the stereo, BAM!!!!

The fuse popped with one whack!!!

If I shut the stereo off (The clock is still displayed) and WHACK WHACK WHACK.... no fuse pop.

Go figure.................

Well, off to find a GM Cassette Deck for my '98

Steve C - RI