Hi everyone, my dad was trying to start my 1988 305 formula when he saw a plume of smoke come from the passenger side near the tap of the engine bay(through the mesh near the wipers). The car will not start, it won't even turn over, and it seems as if there is no power going to the ignition at all. The interior lights work, the horn works, the headlamps works, and the trunk release works. The headlights won't flip up, although they get a power reading when the switch is off, but the 12 volt signal is lost when I hit the switch to flip them up. They windows won't roll up, the dash lights won't turn on, and I'm overall lost. I tried to connect aldl A and B for diagnostic but the light won't turn on. Help pls!!!

 

Look at the fusable links. They are on the starter .

 

Can I see them from underneath the car near the starter or do I have to look from above? From what I've read those things are real fun to get at.

 

There’s not much slack in the wiring. You can get to them under the car.

 

Please check the braided ground strap at the rear of the passenger side head. I too just had a small puff of smoke up near the front of my engine bay on a hard start, it was the broken ground wire from the battery to body...

 

Got it! It was a fuse able link.

 

88formula5spd I think I have the same problem, can you explain how repaired it? Thanks

 

Will do, I'll try and post pictures and an explanation tomorrow.

 

1. Go under the car and look for the starter. Check the connections to the terminals, then use a test light to check if there is any power going through the wires between the fusable links and the starter with the ignition in the on position.
2. If there is no voltage reading, it's probably the links. I tried arching the wire before the links to the terminal on the starter and for me there was power when I bypassed the links. (Probably wouldn't recommend doing that in case if a surge).

 

The question though is why did the fusable link pop? Are you running aftermarket equipment (amps etc) off the internal car wiring? Either you have something pulling too many amps, a short to ground, or a bad ground from engine to frame.

And yes with the link bypassed what ever popped it the next time will catch on fire so I would replace them. The part stores sell them they look like little pieces of wire you just cut and crimp them in.