Battery shorted against body, starts, but wont run, no lights, gauges, windows...
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 75
Likes: 1
Car: 89 GTA, 84 T/A
Engine: L98 stock, Carbed 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Battery shorted against body, starts, but wont run, no lights, gauges, windows...
*Solved- The ground strap between the firewall and the block broke.
The plastic shield by the battery came free and the battery ground against the car, I can start it but it just barely runs, had to be towed home.
I have no gauges, but my check engine light comes on, and I have no power to the rest of the car, no lights, windows, hatch.
Did I blow the computer, or could it be one of the fusible links?
I would think that if the computer was blown that would not kill power to the car. So I am thinking it is one of the links or a fuse somewhere?
I have a spare computer but am afraid to try it in case there is something wrong with the electrical and damaging it.
Please help.
*edit, where can I patch power into the system to get the windows up?
*edit 2, the check engine light stays dimmly lit even with the key off, and when I plug in my scan tool it just says waiting for data.
*edit 3, when I ground the diagnostic and ground terminals on the aldl port, I get code 12
*edit 4, now it cranks but no start
*edit 5, Alright I was jacking up the car to take alook at the fusible links by the starter, when I heard my headlights start spinning, everything is back and the car starts right up.
However my voltage gauge is reading below 13, and it usually is right it it or slightly above it.
The plastic shield by the battery came free and the battery ground against the car, I can start it but it just barely runs, had to be towed home.
I have no gauges, but my check engine light comes on, and I have no power to the rest of the car, no lights, windows, hatch.
Did I blow the computer, or could it be one of the fusible links?
I would think that if the computer was blown that would not kill power to the car. So I am thinking it is one of the links or a fuse somewhere?
I have a spare computer but am afraid to try it in case there is something wrong with the electrical and damaging it.
Please help.
*edit, where can I patch power into the system to get the windows up?
*edit 2, the check engine light stays dimmly lit even with the key off, and when I plug in my scan tool it just says waiting for data.
*edit 3, when I ground the diagnostic and ground terminals on the aldl port, I get code 12
*edit 4, now it cranks but no start
*edit 5, Alright I was jacking up the car to take alook at the fusible links by the starter, when I heard my headlights start spinning, everything is back and the car starts right up.
However my voltage gauge is reading below 13, and it usually is right it it or slightly above it.
Last edited by allos; Jun 24, 2017 at 06:44 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 117
Likes: 2
Re: Battery shorted against body, starts, but wont run, no lights, gauges, windows...
Definitely check all fusible links. Test for voltage and pull on them slightly, if burnt it won't have power on both sides of it. It will pull apart also if burnt. There are other fuse links a long with at starter, usually at a junction connector near radiator support, also near fuse block on engine side.
Joe
Joe