Ok so 2 weeks ago I swapped to long tube headers. A mistake was made during installation and the starter wire welded to the header and melted the battery wires. I replaced the pos and neg battery cables and started the car, everything was fine. I finished tightening down the power to the starter which was only hand tight to test it and when I tried to start it the engine turned over for half a second and then everything went black. No gauges, no lights, nothing has power. I can't find any wires that look bad, I can't find anything. Any ideas where to look? I'm at a complete loss.

 

Fusible link?

 

they are connected to the starter positive cable.

 

So would that cut power to everything in the car? I see there are a couple fusable links off the starter. How can I test them? They are locked in a black plastic block of some kind so visual seems out of the question. There's another fusable link going to a junction post by the battery, there's power there, I tested that before I hooked up the starter wire but I don't know what all gets power from there. My fan and msd box I believe but there's several small wires.

 

Yes, a bad fusible link will kill power to the entire car, just as you described.

I'm not well versed on testing them, but I would imagine a resistance or continuity check across the link would tell you whether it was blown.

Someone else may be able to provide more detail.

 

the easiest and safest way is to disconnect the battery and test them with a ohm meter. Start from the positive lug of the starter and pierce the sheathing of the wire. Making a small hole like with a safety pin. Damaging the insulation will eventually cause the copper to get wet and corrode.

 

​​​​​​I tested everything and I got power through them but it was drawing down when some were connected. I ended up finding a broken ground and a poor ground. I put eyes on them before and somehow overlooked the issue. Not a total loss, I learned more about the way the car is wired so cleaning it up this winter will go a little smoother.