Electrical problem

[BB73Challenger]

OK all and any possible input will be welcome -

Driving down the street enjoying warm afternoon when the car dies.
No warning, everything shuts off including engine.
I at first glance couldn't see any obvious problems. I could jump the starter with a small jumper wire, but with the key nothing worked. No ignition, no gauges nothing. I was only a few minutes from home so I wired juice to the coil and jumped the stater again just to limp back home.

Now here is my situation - fuse box seems not to be letting "ignition" power to it. I did add a new electric fan. Could I have blown a fusible link? I dodn't know how bad this was, but I again using a small jumper wire sent 12 volts to the igngnition side of my fuse box and things like the heater blower and turn signals worked, but I never could get the car to crank on its own, or any voltage to the coil and ballast resitor ( either side ).

Very confused and not sure how to proceed - if anyone has any adice or things to check I would appreciate it!!
Thanks in advance - Jeff

[71 DEPUTY]

check the bulkhead harness connections for loose/burnt or melted wires!!!

[BB73Challenger]

Well honestly - after I bought the car, the previous owner had a voltmeter in the aftermarket gauges in the car, and one afternoon it did short out. Talk about a panic situation.

At that time I was able to follow what was left of the melted wire back to the alternator, which was replaced.

With my current problem, I have pulled the harness from the bulkhead on the firewall, and so far no obvious melting.

With the last situation, there was an OBVIOUS problem ( lots of smoke and smell ) where as this time everything seemed fine then all of the sudden, nothing.

[ShelbyDogg]

Use a test light and follow the voltage through the bulkhead connector, like Deputy said, then go through the ignition switch connector. It's one of those,  if it isn't the amp gauge or fusible link. Need to have a test light. Harbor Freight has them on sale for $1.99
Rob

[MEK-Dangerfield]

The fuseable link would be my first suspect. It's between your starter relay and the bulkhead connector.

  Mike

[BB73Challenger]

allright guys - yes I do have a test light and a nice digital voltage meter.

I'll keep digging-

PS - does anyone have a wiring schematic for under the dash & steering column?
I have the engine compartment already

Thanks guys

[ShelbyDogg]

I have a 70, 71, But your Sig shows '73. I know it's a little different. I send it up if someone doesn't send up a '73.

[71 DEPUTY]

73!!!

enjoy!!!

[BB73Challenger]

You guys are the greatest - thanks much!!!

Hopefuly I can take a closer look sometime today. Doing the dad thing while the wife had to work today.

Thanks again, I'll keep you guys up tp speed on how it's coming along.

[71 DEPUTY]

have fun BB   

[BB73Challenger]

GOT IT!!

As it turns out there was a very good reason there was no ignition accesories.
The bundle of wires going to the steering wheel held the 12 volt hot in, which then when you turn the key brings the accesories on. There was a clip that had a bad connection in it. Bypassed it and everything was back to good. I didn't even find any proof of anything melting ( and believe me, I went through it ALL ). The best I can tell is from my original "melting" it created a bad contact point in the harness at that point. I then to be on the safe side did the following:

1 - replaced the major hot wires anyway with a thicker gauge wire
2 - after seeing there was NO fusible link, I added one ( a whole 3 bucks )
3 - bought and installed a cool fuse block doo-hickey. I was then able to add up to 6 more citcuits with out piggy backing off of any other fuses. Now things like my new fan, radio, sirius satelite and neon lights have there own block.

I can't thank you guys enough for your info - but I'll try anyway


Thanks very much!!

[daves70]

Congrats BB!! The folks on here DO know what they're talking about.(Except maybe me)

[71 DEPUTY]

Your welcome- now you have some new experience to trouble shoot anything in the future!!!

John Mac

[Chryco Psycho]

Great 
 there should be a fusable link out by the starter relay , just so you know

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Jeff,
   Did you say neon lights?? 

  Mike