electrical gremlins

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UDUST81

UDUST81

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hey just want to say thanks in advance to everyone, im experiencing some electrical problems, car is a 72 duster, with a big block and chrysler electronic ignition, i pulled the motor this spring to deal with some pesky leaks but no electrical problems before and just recently reinstalled it in the car, problem is i have no power, zip nada nothing, i have over 12 volts at the battery, and i have power to my starter relay and starter, so if i jump the terminals on the relay with a screwdriver the motor turns over but will not start as i have no spark, even my headlights will not turn on with the key on or off, i changed the starter relay thinking maybe that could be the issue and to no avail, as well as pulling the starter to make sure terminals were loose and still no power, also made sure block was still grounded to chassis and no problem there, im kinda lost now as i didnt alter anything while pulling or reinstalling the motor, any help would be appreciated as i dont know where to look now thanks FABO!
 
You could have shorted out a power wire or blew a fuse during installation??

treblig
 
This sounds like the fuse link/ bulkhead connector/ ammeter wiring

This article is about these problems, but we really just want the diagram for now

Catalog

Simplified diagram of your main primary power

amp-ga18.jpg


From the starter relay, goes through the fuseable link, through the bulkhead connector, through the ammeter, and to the BLACK ammeter wire. At some point under the dash harness, the black has a WELDED SPLICE which distributes power as shown to headlights, ignition switch, etc

I would start right there at the fuseable link and bulkhead connector and go next to the ammeter
 
first off i shouldve said when i pulled the starter i noticed one of the terminals had turned and ground out on the block, ive fixed that and now im trying to go through your list, quick question, with my multimeter i stabbed the wire on both ends of the fuseable link as it is wired up in the car and i am getting conductivity, so i wanted to confirm it is good, or is there a chance im getting backfeed through the system fooling me into thinking the fuseable link is good? or can i move on down the list assuming it is okay? i just dont want to move on if it could be the problem...
 
I would check the fuse link "under load" because if everything is shut off it can conduct "just enough" (if bad) to send you on the wrong track. So turn on the ignition, and headlights, and hook your meter to ground. You should have 12V on both ends of the fuse link. Then probe "right into where the fuse link enters the bulkhead connector. You should have battery power there. If you nothing at all, no dome, no headlamps, no ignition, I'd first suspect "right in" the bulkhead terminals. Dissassemble the bulkhead connector and clean and inspect. They are a HUGE problem

If you don't have a service manual, go to MyMopar and download one, free
 
Have you had any arcs and sparks or smoke or smell lately?
 
first off thank you so much for your help its really been a lifesaver as electrical is the one thing i truely struggle with, and i really appreciate the help, anyways, fuseable link is still good when i went to plug my meter into the bulkhead connector i noticed my headlights flicker so i just kinda pushed it in tighter and turned the key and bam! i have power! so glad to have found the problem so now i can deal with it! so what can i do to prevent this from happening again?
 
Start by reading that article in the link in post 3. At the least you need to clean/ rebuild your bulkhead connector. You can buy those terminals, they are called "packard 56". There are different types, and you must find the kind where the edges are curled around like this below

2465x1__47238.1272727870.380.500.jpg



These kind below---with the tab folded over the top will NOT fit many Mopar connectors. They will fit some of the later cars "some" connectors

159912x5__31969.1360444193.380.500.jpg
 
sounds like the fusible link, if you still have one. Do you have schematics of the car?
also the best first step to find an electrical problem is to smell for odors.
They may be subtle and had to find but they are probably still there.
did you try hot wiring it?
 
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