<VV> Strange Electrical Problem

[Jim Houston]

I was finally able to get time to check further into the "dead" 
electrical problem.  Turned out to be the big connector under the dash!  
I hadn't gotten both sides "clicked" when I was installing the AC..  It 
was just loose enough to disconnect the power occasionally....  snapped 
the connector together properly, and all is well again.  Thanks to all 
who provided suggestions . . .

Jim Houston
Tampa, FL
'65 Monza coupe

Frank DuVal wrote:
> 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
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>>>
>>>
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