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Karnak4462
New User
Oct 29, 2015, 6:43 PM
Post #1 of 8
(1404 views)
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95 Grand Am died
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I have a 95 Grand Am with a quad4 engine that suddenly quit running while sitting at a stop light. Car had been running great. I have absolutely no electrical power to anything except headlights, even with the ignition on. Battery is fully charged and all fuses are good. I've been posting to forums and talking to mechanics till I'm blue in the face but no one can give me an answer. Is there a main "mega" fuse I'm missing? Bad ignition switch? Please help me. I'm a pretty good mechanic but this has me baffled. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you...
(This post was edited by Karnak4462 on Oct 29, 2015, 6:45 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 29, 2015, 11:34 PM
Post #2 of 8
(1387 views)
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Re: 95 Grand Am died
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? About 21 years on this layout for a car. IDK but would be looking at all battery connections. I think these (sorry if wrong) sunk the battery down low, front driver's side so hard to get to it used a remote cable to access on/near strut tower.
All that has to known good - wires, connections especially the side post cable ends possibly neglected for ages. You may find separate wire of smaller gauge is probably just for headlights to ground = body metal.
Test out fuses with a test light. It's possible for the large, high amp fuse(s) under hood could have blown or corroded? Test by light not looks alone.
Basing this on NOTHING electrical works but the headlights AND those connections by design are a trouble spot to tend to anyway. Grease cleaned up connections and try hard not to break the battery hold down bolt and grease that too - none survived lots younger than this (in rust belt areas) if not tended to and may already be repaired or another spot to deal with,
T
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kev2
Veteran
Oct 30, 2015, 6:24 AM
Post #3 of 8
(1378 views)
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Re: 95 Grand Am died
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pretty good mechanic...
with test light, power at battery, cables maybe - ck fusible links at starter, a wiring diagram maybe but this seams easy.
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Karnak4462
New User
Oct 30, 2015, 8:33 AM
Post #4 of 8
(1370 views)
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Re: 95 Grand Am died
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Thanks for the replies...I've checked all connections with a test light and all test good. Checking the fuse box under the dash I found current to only a few of them, even with the ignition on. I even took the starter out to inspect the wiring. I do have current to the small screw on the solenoid. I did notice that there are about four or five wires coming off the small screw on the solenoid with what appears to be splices on each of them. Would these possibly be fusible links? I guess the next thing I could do is take the starter back out and check for current on both sides of each splice/link? When I get it out I will post a pic of these splices. Also I looked very close for any fuses under the hood and found none. Thanks for your help.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 30, 2015, 8:52 AM
Post #5 of 8
(1368 views)
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Re: 95 Grand Am died
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Yes, those splices suggest it's happened before.
Test light use on larger connections: It might light if just a trickle would but when you turn an item on even just interior lights it would or could go out on you.
Same for testing at solenoid. Know that starter motor itself is the biggest draw your battery will have so gets the larger cables not just wire. Others are to trigger it and other reasons as well with fusible link too you mentioned. If not good try soldering in new exact gauge product and shrink wrap over splices. The crip or Scotchlock stuff is really pretty temporary,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 30, 2015, 9:23 AM
Post #6 of 8
(1365 views)
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Re: 95 Grand Am died
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Yes, those are fusible links at the starter. You should be able to pull on each one and if one of them stretches, that one is burnt out. DO NOT use regular wire to repair it if you find one. Fuse wire only.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Karnak4462
New User
Nov 1, 2015, 12:46 PM
Post #7 of 8
(1331 views)
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Re: 95 Grand Am died
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THE GRAND AM LIVES AGAIN!!! Pulled the starter out again and found a burnt fusible link hiding behind some other wires. Got another one at Auto Zone for $2.69 and that did the trick. For once an auto repair was a cheap fix. Thanks you all for your help especially to you Hammer Time, you're the man!!!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 1, 2015, 12:48 PM
Post #8 of 8
(1327 views)
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Re: 95 Grand Am died
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You're welcome. Glad you found the problem.
Closing this question now as solved
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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