HELP! No power...?

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slimjim

slimjim

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Hello, ive got a 68 barracuda 318/904. My car is in rough shape but until now it ran. Im not getting any power throughout the car. the battery has a full charge, and the ground cable had a solid connection. what else could it be? I havnt done anything to the car since it was running last week. -Jeremy
 
Check the bulkhead connector at the firewall. Also check the starter wires, the alternator connections and the ammeter gauge in the dash. Sometimes the ammeter gauge will burn out and the result is no charging and power loss.
 
the connections on the firewall are all connected. the alternator connections are just fine. The negative cable is brand new and is hooked up well. Same with the positive. the starter wires seem fine too. Is there anything else that would cause no power within the car? The dome light isnt even working. no lights no nothing. Battery is hooked up to a quick starting unit and still nothing
 
mine had done this too way way back when i first got it..anyways seems way too obvious but the guy that sold it to me had thrown an old battery in it out of an onmi just to start it. the terminal post were very small being that small of a bat and although the battery terminals appeared tight, they were not b/c the post were small. i assume you have cleaned and checked them already though? so maybe start pulling fuses next...but the fact u have a COMPLETE power loss...almost has to be something very close to the battery. unless your tester is bad and its actually dead.
 
i would use a test light and check for power at your fuse box then trace it from there either forwards or back.
 
Yup. A test lamp and wiring diagram should make short work of this.

Check for power at the big stud on the starter relay. This is the last "takeoff point" before power goes through the fuse link and into / through the bulkhead connector. Check at the firewall side of the bulkhead connector.

Then get a clip lead and reach up and find the ammeter connections under the dash, and check there.

Post back

Diagrams from "MyMopar:"

http://www.mymopar.com/downloads/1968/68BarracudaA.jpg

http://www.mymopar.com/downloads/1968/68BarracudaB.jpg

A thread with some service manuals. The 66 might be close enough to give you some help

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=132309&highlight=manual,+download
 
Ok, I found out that the problem is my bulkhead connector. Half of it was melted and the prongs were set back. The ignition wire was barely connected. Now, my question is... where can I get a replacement? Is this connector something I can get at Autozone? or am I going to have to special order one from year 1?
 
autozone won't have it, best bet is to buy from fabo member with a parts car. try 340plot he has alot of parts.
 
the bulkhead connector in these old girls is problematic. Read up on the Mad Electrical stuff here:

http://www.madelectrical.com/electrical-tech.shtml

The part about troubles with Mopar ammeters/ bulkhead connectors:

http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml

With "modern stuff" which can include much larger alternators, add-ons like electric fans, big stereos, or even hi-wattage, halogen headlights, the already over-rated bulkhead is suspect.

There are a number of things you can do. One is "feeding through" individual wires to eliminate the plug-connector especially for the high--amp connectors,

the other is to suck it in (I like ammeters) and bypass the ammeter, and run a bypass wire from the alternator to the big stud on the start relay.

these type spade connectors should NEVER have been used for the amperage they see in this service. I used to work on HVAC, including heat pumps and electric forced air handlers. These types of spade connectors are commonly used on heating elements, and at only 20A or so nominal current, they still give trouble.
 
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