Need Some Electical Help For 66

[elstevo109]

I recently bought a 66 coupe project. Overall its a really solid car, but it is almost completely disassembled. The guy I bought it from replaced the battery cables, but he switched the colors. So when I connected the Red cable to the positive post and the Black cable to the negative post, I was connecting them wrong. Some of the wiring close to the battery started to smoke, aswell as the starter selonoid. I replaced the wires, the selonoid, and fuses but the car wont start. There doesnt seem to power anywhere. Any help that you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

 

[iskwezm]

does it crank and not start or not crank?

make sure the nuetral safety switch is working,or the brown and black on the solenoid are good

 

[elstevo109]

It does not crank. None of the electrical is working. I replaced the starter selonoid, so it is in perfect working order. The engine had been running and the electrical had been working until this insident.

 

[mustangman1974]

use a screwdriver to jump the solenoid this will tell you whether the started was fried. if it jumps its possible the neutral saftey switch you and usually jump those and test for start. Its very possible you fried the power wired from the starter solenoid to the regulator. This actuall is the power to the whoel system.

 

[dennis112]

Rather than troubleshooting with the hit and miss method, I suggest going to Walmart, Radioshack, or even you local hardware store and buying a cheap voltmeter. Nothing fancy is needed.

Then figure out where you have voltage and where you don't, and be sure to turn switches on and off.

You could even use a socketed 12v light bulb with test leads to help you do your troubleshooting. You can get them in autopart stores and can even get one made up that looks like an ice pick (AKA electic ice pick.)

 

[19stang66]

Hey elstevo109,
This is Lance from Byron. I can't believe I didnt tell you that the cables were backwards. The dumba** before me switched the colors so the red was ground and black positive. I did the same thing you did when I first got her, but fortunatly we noticed it right away and no damage was done. I hope it didn't wreck all the wiring. If you are confused about anything again you can always email or send me a PM on here. I will ship the air cleaner out to you today.

 

[elstevo109]

I tried jumping the solonoid and that worked to start the car. I still dont have power to the instruments, horn, lights, etc, and it wont turn over unless I jump the solonoid. Thanks in advance for any more help.