having trouble finding the fusible link for my starter. diagram shows it by the starter but can't find it. what does it look like?

 

it appears from the picture that it's mounted on the side of the tranny? It's probably the same kind of craptastic fusible links that they used for the headlights and stuff. Appears as just a wire with quick disconnects on either end.

 

Thats a diagram for an auto trans.

Im not aware of any fusible links other than the 3 up on the strut tower.
1 for the headlights,1 for the headlight motors and 1 main link.There may be others in the wiring harness,but they arent the replacable type like the others.Fusible links can be integrated into the wiring harness more or less permanently,but Im not aware of any on the 1st gen.
The starter should just have 2 wires going to it.The big main cable from the battery and the smaller wire from the ignition that activates the solenoid and cranks everything over.

 

I'm not sure how hooking up the alternator activation wires could harm any of that? Thats the only thing I messed with. I get power on both sides of all main fuseable links.

Sounds like the 2nd wire going to the Sol. that cranks everything over might be the problem. With Ign off, One side of the fuse block gets a constant 12V. (side with the white power wire) While the other gets nothing. (side with black wire and wht stripe) If I turn on the IGN ON I get no voltage on the side that had voltage before (wht) and .32 or so volts on the previous side with no voltage.(blk)

Also when I turn the IGN on I get no lights etc and een the clock on the dash shuts off. Switching the IGN back off and the clock lights up???

Anyway, Which relay is the "MAIN" relay? Is it the CHOKE/CHECK relay? I see 3 main relays on the driver side.


I'm almost leaning twords the IGN switch just randomly failing? I don't see anything else inline with the main relay?
Thanks

 

If you are testing volts/ohms across the links, you will have power. If you pull one end of the link and bridge from there to it's connecter, then you test the link. Headlights work with ignition on or off, and power crosses the main link, all the time. It's the ignition switch that links the starter, fuel pump and idiot lights.

Has any wiring been done in the engine bay? You may be on the right track with a faulty ignition switch.

 

That fusible link A-02 is for the hot start relay, I have it disconnected on my 85 w/no probs.

 

i dont know if it helps but when i put the switch on the starter in my 81, the fusible link was under the dash near the steering column. i found that using the genuine service manual from mazda(the $89 was worth it) it covers '79 to i think it's '86 or '85. so try that. PM me if you want and i'll scan the page for you, take some photos maybe.

hope it helps dude.
Aaron

 

Thanks for all the help everyone, it wasn't the fuseable link. It was the main relay.