No power to gauges. Car won't crank over.
 

My son just bought a 88' SE. He was told by the previous owner(lady) that a guy befriended her and disabled the car so it wouldn't run. I found the 80 amp main fuse and 40 amp fuel injection fuses missing and bought new ones at Autozone. I put a new battery in the car as well. The lights work, but the dash gauges and radio won't come on. I pushed the clutch in and attempted to start it...nothing. I looked in the fuse box to the right under the dash and everything appears intact there. There was a bolt missing on the left side where the 80 amp fuse goes(upper bolt). Is there something that goes to that bolt, or is it just tere to secure the fuse? The lower bolt and wire leading off of it were intact. Can you guys tell me if it looks like something is missing. Thanks, Rich

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Meter fuse powers the gauges. W/key to on do the wipers or turn signals work? If not then look at the Black plug w/the Black wire just below the engine fuse box as that plug should connect to a like plug about a foot below the engine fuse box. When connected properly the ignition switch would then be powered. W/this plug disconnected the car would indeed be disabled. If this is your problem then none of the IG1 IG2 fuses in the interior fuse box would be powered, including the meter fuse. Only interior fuses powered would be the BTN fuses which powers things like the hazard lights and horn etc.

I'm having similar issues but my car has been hacked into. Part of the problem on mine I've found so far is that the connectors in the column had been disconnected as well.

Thanks guys! That gives me somewhere to start. My son went to the library yesterday to see if they might have a repair manual. They did, but it's being shipped over from a different library. He won't be able to get it until Monday.

If you look online enough you can find the FC FSM's. They are far more detailed than any Hayne's/Chilton's/etc. manuals you will find.

You do not need a repair manual at all for we are your repair manual except w/an attitude. Just look for the matching Black plug under the engine fuse box that matches the one in the pic and it is that simple. The only other possibility is the Black plug connects to the main fuse on the side closest to the fire wall. As you see in your pics there is a Black plug just like the one that is disconnected that is connected to the main fuse closest to the battery. There should also be one connected to the fuse on the opposite side. If there is then the unconnected Black plug connects to a like plug below the fuse box as already noted. These are really the only two possibilities.

Satch, you were right :bowdown:. The black wire connector was indeed unplugged. Once I connected it, I had power to everything. My good fortune continued as the fuel gauge was registering empty, so I replaced the fuel filter(what little that came out of the lines still smelled like gas :icon_tup:) and replaced the rubber lines while I was at it. I then changed the plugs/wires and dumped some fresh gas in the tank. It fired up first try :). Oil pressure seems good (just under 30 on the gauge at idle) and the temp gauge was holding steady at just under half way once it warmed up. I did a oil/filter change, then took it for a short drive. Shifted through all the gears fine and ran good.

For an S4 (86 thru 88) the temp gauge should max out no higher than 1/3 and usually 1/4 so you might want to focus on that. Perhaps you need to add coolant, get rid of some possible air pockets in the system, replace the thermostat (only use the factory replacement) or just flush the system and refill. The last thing you want to do is overheat the engine for it will result in a rebuild.

I was planning on replacing the coolant hoses so I will pick up a oem thermostat. Thanks for the help!

This is going to be helping me a ton as I have the same issue. Props to the OP for the pics, really helps.