<VV> Strange Electrical Problem

[Frank DuVal]

Second, get a volt meter and check for voltage at the red plastic 
terminal when the hedlamps don't work.

Skip the ignition switch as a problem, as it has nothing to do with the 
headlamps.

BTW, did you *JUST* clean the terminals of the battery, or has it been a 
few weeks. Some batteries have an acid leak around the post and can 
cause a bad connection really fast.

There are two connectors that deliver the +12 volts to the front of the 
car. One is between the engine harness and the middle body harness. Look 
near the firewall, The other is under the dash near the tunnel like 
sheetmetal cover. Check both for corrosion and use the voltmeter to see 
where the 10 awg red wire looses voltage.

Frank DuVal

Jim Houston wrote:

> New battery, new wires, new (clean) terminals...
>
> Jim Houston
>
> Harry Yarnell wrote:
>
>> Sounds like battery terminals to me...
>>
>> harry yarnell
>> perryman garage and orphanage
>> hyarnell1 at earthlink.net
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Houston" <tampatexan at gmail.com>
>> To: "Virtual Vairs (E-mail)" <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2007 10:29 AM
>> Subject: <VV> Strange Electrical Problem
>>
>>
>>> For the last couple of months, when I start my '65 Monza (110/4spd), 
>>> SOMETIMES nothing happens when I turn the key.  A few tries, and 
>>> then it would start and all would be well.  Last week, I had left 
>>> the car at my daughters house for the weekend and when I left to go 
>>> home, I started it and at the first corner, it died.  Attempted 
>>> restart -- nothing... no amount of trying would make it start.  The 
>>> radio had no power, nor did the electric gauges (including a 
>>> voltmeter).   I pushed it back to her house and checked the infamous 
>>> "Red Wire Connection" and it appears fine - no burning, no 
>>> corrosion, both sides of the plug look fine.  Still nothing. It was 
>>> getting late, so I called it a day and took her Honda home.  I did 
>>> NOT check the headlights at that time.  I went out yesterday to give 
>>> it another try.  First thing, I checked the headlights and they came 
>>> on.  I concluded the problem was in the ignition switch.  Tried the 
>>> ignition/start "one more time" and it started.  Shut it off, and 
>>> then nothing.  Also, no headlights this time!!  I was laying under 
>>> the dash attempting to replace the ignition switch, and the courtesy 
>>> lights came on all of a sudden....  surprise!  Tried the start (with 
>>> the switch hanging below the dash) and it started!  Took it home - 
>>> 12 miles - (with a Honda following me, just in case) and had no 
>>> problem.  When arrived home, tried start a couple of times, and all 
>>> was fine.  My question is :  should I perform the "bypass surgery" 
>>> even though the connection appears okay? Could it be doing weird 
>>> things?  Or, could it be the CB that is installed between the 
>>> battery and the 3way connector on the frame rail?  Any help or 
>>> suggestions would be appreciated as I'm a bit leery of taking any 
>>> trips until I find and fix the problem (I hate it when things "fix" 
>>> themselves!).
>>> Jim Houston
>>> Tampa, FL
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> This message was sent by the VirtualVairs mailing list, all 
>>> copyrights are the property
>>> of the writer, please attribute properly. For help, 
>>> mailto:vv-help at corvair.org
>>> This list sponsored by the Corvair Society of America, 
>>> http://www.corvair.org/
>>> Post messages to: VirtualVairs at corvair.org
>>> Change your options: 
>>> http://www.vv.corvair.org/mailman/options/virtualvairs 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
> This message was sent by the VirtualVairs mailing list, all copyrights 
> are the property
> of the writer, please attribute properly. For help, 
> mailto:vv-help at corvair.org
> This list sponsored by the Corvair Society of America, 
> http://www.corvair.org/
> Post messages to: VirtualVairs at corvair.org
> Change your options: 
> http://www.vv.corvair.org/mailman/options/virtualvairs 
> _______________________________________________
>