• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

No electrical power at all! Need help...

  • Thread starter Thread starter JChalfan
  • Start date Start date Sep 6, 2006

JChalfan

Member
Nov 27, 2002
551
0
16
Bellevue, WA
Sep 6, 2006
#1
  • Sep 6, 2006
  • #1
I was driving my dad's '90 GT tonight which I have been borrowing, parked it for about an hour, and then he went to drive it home, and the car has absolutely no electrical power. No headlights, tail lights, dash lights, and of course won't even try to start.

I wasn't there when he tried to start it, but I think he said it had power for just a second, then he turned the key to start it, and everything went out.

I have suspected for some time that the positive battery cable is corroded internally. The starter kinda struggled at first when you turned the key, even with a new battery.

What could have happened tonight? Is there a fusible link that handles ALL power to the whole car?

Any suggestions would be great, we had to leave it in the parking lot over night, and are going to work on it in the morning.

Thanks a lot.

Jeff
 

stang&2Birds

Founding Member
May 4, 2000
2,091
5
58
New England. :-) CT/MA
Sep 7, 2006
#2
  • Sep 7, 2006
  • #2
That's very common with bad battery connections. They get "salted & corroded" and they can't conduct anymore. Sometimes, you'll get a little power (radio), but as soon as you ask for any more current, there's too much resistance and the car voltage goes to zero.

It could be a bad battery cable connection at the battery (Pos or neg). Or, many times, where the neg cable connects to the block.

Get a volt meter or a lighted voltage checker and check the *tops* of the battery. If that voltage stays good, then it's the cables. Then, try
o Pos at battery top,
o Neg at good engine ground,


If the battery is low, the battery may have gotten an internal short. That also happens.
 

JChalfan

Member
Nov 27, 2002
551
0
16
Bellevue, WA
Sep 7, 2006
#3
  • Sep 7, 2006
  • #3
stang&2birds, thanks for the suggestions, I definitely will take a look at the battery cables tomorrow.

If that was the only problem though, I would think the radio and maybe lights would still work. That's why I was thinking maybe a fusible link or something blew.

I was also thinking the battery could have had an internal short. I've had that happen in the past, but this is a pretty new battery, only a couple months old.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Jeff
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Sep 7, 2006
#4
  • Sep 7, 2006
  • #4
Nope, if the battery terminals/connections have an issue, nothing at all has power.

Sometimes just 'scoochying' the terminals around will reachieve continuity. That tells you where the issue is.

Good luck.
 

JChalfan

Member
Nov 27, 2002
551
0
16
Bellevue, WA
Sep 7, 2006
#5
  • Sep 7, 2006
  • #5
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm probably going to take a look at it in an hour or so, I'll post my results.

Jeff
 

JChalfan

Member
Nov 27, 2002
551
0
16
Bellevue, WA
Sep 7, 2006
#6
  • Sep 7, 2006
  • #6
Installed a new positive battery cable and cleaned the terminals, and it's workin great!

Jeff
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,813
234
Dublin GA
Sep 7, 2006
#7
  • Sep 7, 2006
  • #7
First lession in Automobile Electrics: clean shiny connections and wires are a must. Glad to hear that it was something simple.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
Electrical issue
  • Landonf00
  • Aug 10, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
117
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Aug 10, 2025
Landonf00
L
M
2004 v8 convertible
  • Mikeycrownvicluver
  • Feb 12, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
11
Views
322
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Feb 15, 2026
Mikeycrownvicluver
M
N
Power door lock motor Question
  • NYFox
  • Mar 15, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
217
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 17, 2026
NYFox
N
P
Crank but no start BUT no power to gauges
  • project_88LX
  • Jan 13, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
5
Views
521
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jan 14, 2025
Mcmahst
T
2002 V6 3.8L Help Me
  • TheIncompetentMechanic
  • Apr 4, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2 3
Replies
50
Views
710
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 12, 2026
TheIncompetentMechanic
T
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?