I have an '85 s model with an '87 non turbo swap. The other day it was running fine, parked it in the drive way, when I came back I get nothing when I turn the key. The key unit its self is not getting power at all. I've traced power and it makes it to the fuse box under the dash, but only the left hand side gets power. I'm not sure if the right hand side is switched power or not. All the fuses are in good shape. I'm lost because whatever broke did it when it was parked. If you guys have any places I should start looking at because I wouldn't know where to start if I was to track it down on my own. Thanks.

 

You're driving along, and the center fusible link dies of old age, and you'll never know it until you shut off the car. Then when you try to restart it, you get no power to the dash or ignition. I believe headlights will still go up/down and work.

Go to Autozone, and pick up a newer style of fusible link. These look like weird fuses, sqaure plastic with two ends sticking out a bit to plug it in. Compare the plug ends to the ends of the fusible link, and if you look at where it goes you'll see how the new style will plug right in. Cost is about 2 bucks if I remember right. You'll be wanting a 30 amp model.

 

I put in a FC fuse box when I did the swap. The fuses look good and I verified power was making it through them. It seems like the wire from the main fuse goes to the fuse box under the dash and power makes it there. If thats suppose to be a 30 amp fuse, could it be an issue that I left the 80 amp from the FC in?

 

Also the head lights don't work, motors or lights.

 

im doing a 88 swap right now, and im keeping the 80 amp in there i would double chk the retractor, the head and if you used it the BNT fuse. also chk your fuses under the dash.

 

I thought for the engine fusible link you'd want a 50 amp... You only need to have the 80 amp if you're using an FC alternator.

 

I had some free time today so I messed with it some more. The first time I had power when the key was on acc and on but when I tried to turn it over it lost power again. I traced it back and had no power until I got to the starter, then I had power everywhere, but when I turned the key it did the same thing. So I traced it back to the starter again where I had power. I wedged my test light in the alternator terminal and I watched the test light go out when I turned the key. So this time I just touched the starter terminal and the test light came back on. Some how the power post on the starter had backed out, so I tightened it back and it's fine now.