1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

I get one thing fixed and boom it's another...

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Old Jun 30, 2006 | 09:32 AM
  #1  
84RX_Se7en's Avatar
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From: Dayton, Ohio
I get one thing fixed and boom it's another...

So I fixed my windshield wipers, fixed my issue with the moving control switch and it spinning around the steering column, fixed the clock, cleaned it out, messed with a few other odds and ends... I basically got it to where everything was functioning right again and it was pretty solid till boom, I run out of gas. Eight hours later I go to put gas in it and hopefully drive away.
Nothing. The engine turns over, starter clicks repeatedly, the interior lights come on bright as day when I open the door but dim shortly after, the dash lights/acc lights come on but dim. The headlight motors are slow and the lights are dim. So okay, I go to jump start it. Nothing. No help. I get under the car and hey look what I found four wires just hanging down off of the battery to starter wire harness. It was dark so I couldn't see what these mysterious plugs came out of. I haven't gone back to Burger King to look yet but I need to do it sometime today.
Any ideas? I am going to take the battery to Auto Zone to get charged. Then I guess we'll see if it's the battery. Plus too I think I may dump more than $5 into it. Those wires though are weirding me out.
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Old Jun 30, 2006 | 09:46 AM
  #2  
Glazedham42's Avatar
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Try pulling/pushing it and pop the clutch? As far as the wiring from the battery to the starter I think that there is the large positive cable and that is it. There is also the plastic connector that goes onto the tab of the starter, but that should come out of the wiring harness if I remember correctly, not from the battery. Is there a chance that some of those wires go to the tranny? I know you should have two wires going to the tranny also for your backup lights. Are you sure that these wires hanging down go to the battery?
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Old Jun 30, 2006 | 10:49 AM
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t_g_farrell's Avatar
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Sounds like you might have snagged the wiring somehow and ripped something out. Hopefully no one was messing with it while it sat out of gas. Good luck.
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Old Jun 30, 2006 | 12:16 PM
  #4  
84RX_Se7en's Avatar
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Originally Posted by Glazedham42
Try pulling/pushing it and pop the clutch? As far as the wiring from the battery to the starter I think that there is the large positive cable and that is it. There is also the plastic connector that goes onto the tab of the starter, but that should come out of the wiring harness if I remember correctly, not from the battery. Is there a chance that some of those wires go to the tranny? I know you should have two wires going to the tranny also for your backup lights. Are you sure that these wires hanging down go to the battery?
Transmission wiring harness is gone... the tab for the starter is still there and all of the wires from what I could see for the starter are all there.
There are a million plugs in this area of the car and I couldn't see if any were unplugged in the dark. I need to get it out of there soon too because those damned Burger King people will probably have it towed if it is there too long... not that their parking lot ever sees any other cars as it is.
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Old Jun 30, 2006 | 12:49 PM
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Nicholas P.'s Avatar
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starter clicks means your battery is dead dude.
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Old Jun 30, 2006 | 01:33 PM
  #6  
trochoid's Avatar
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From: St Joe MO
There is a body harness for the tranny and 4 wires, iic, that come off of the tranny to connect to the body harness. 2 connections should be bullet connectors, the other 2 are male/female.

A clicking starter can be caused by a low battery, bad starter solinoid, poor cable connections, corroded battery cables or a bad ignition switch. For some reason, a 7 with a weak battery seems to be the hardest vehicle to jump start from another car/battery.

Push or tow start it and move it somewhere you can work on it.
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Old Jun 30, 2006 | 02:29 PM
  #7  
84RX_Se7en's Avatar
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From: Dayton, Ohio
You know... you described it perfectly. When Lokirx7.1 and I did the transmission we tucked those wires up with some others and zip-tied them. I guess the zip-tie broke somehow. Okay so I'm going with the battery is most likely dead or so near dead it can bring on lights and get the engine to turn half a crank or so.

Yea, a week ago when the ignition switch went and I had to replace that the battery was dead and had to be charged. I'm going to replace the battery on warranty and hopefully that will fix all of my problems.
The battery itself is a little damaged. I'm driving around with a bomb in my engine bay.
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