I will start off by saying that wiring and electrical in general is not my strong point. But, I have a Fluke meter and I know how to read wiring diagrams. I just need some help figuring out where to start! I went out to start my 1973 Buick Regal this morning. I wanted to check the timing curve and start fiddling with the new 650 Double Pumper. Other than the Carb/Intake swap and a Petronix conversion, the car is completely stock. I turn the key, it starts cranking and then all power goes away. The battery is showing 12.5 volts. There is no power when I test at the fuses regardless of key position. It seemed like a fuse popped, but they all look okay. Any ideas?? Where should I test for power? Thanks guys!
Start at the battery. Remove and clean connections, if good, go to the starter. Remove ground cable from battery to prevent any shorts, remove and clean and tighten main power cable at starter. If this does not restore power, check for power at the starter, then check for blown fusible links to the rest of the system.
That was my first thought, but the headlights were out too. It turns out that the ground wire from the battery to the fender area was shot. I replaced that and problem solved! The car also seems to be running better. I think I must have been getting voltage fluctuations to the electronic points conversion. Now I can drive it daily and start tuning the carb.
One other thing...shouldn't there be another ground strap or two from the engine to the frame? I just went through this with my 1990 IROC. It was cranking very slow. I forgot to hook up two of the ground straps. That made all of the difference in the world. I was shocked to see that the Regal just has this one, thin gauge wire going to the fender. I am thinking about adding another strap.
on a side note, the main ground on your iroc must be bad. the engine body grounds should have no effect on cranking speeds.
I think mine is missing the braided line at the back of the head. Guess that's my next repair. Thanks for all of the input guys. I really appreciate it!
Hmmmmmmm maybe e............... sounds like its not in park ....got the gearshift way up ??? my buddy had a chevy truck you had to lift the gearshift with your lsft arm across the column to pull up on the shift arm and turn the key at the same time...theft deterent he said ... ok .... and the neutral safety switch may be open ..... jump the 2 purple wires under the dash at the base of the column make sure you have power there . with your volt meter or test lite... 1 side should be hot when you turn the key ..... that triggers the solenoid on the starter ....
