Can anyone tell me if the ignition fuse link in a 1985 Regal is one of the 2 wires attached to the starter hot post. I think I fried the fuse link trying to start the car because I have no power to anything now and the battery checks out at 12.6 volts. And will a poor engine ground cause too much draw on the battery causing this to happen. Roger
Yes, the fusible links for EVERYTHING except the computer are drawn off the two (or three depending on the engine) larger red wires with fusible links near the end attach to the starter hot lead. The double lead is ignition related; the single lead is lighting.) Yes ANY poor ground definitely increases the amperage draw on the circuit. There are several ENGINE grounds on the back of the block; This has been a common known problem area on Turbo Regals especially. Clean grounds are a big problem on these cars; located on the back of the passenger cylinder head, and top engine to transmission mounting bolt. Don't forget the ground from the engine to the chassis [flat woven copper stranded wire "thingy" (yep, back there in the zone)] , and the ground from front harness to the body, on the passenger and driver side fenders. Don't foget about the ground on the starter itself through the metal to metal contact when mounting. NO PAINT AT ALL on the ENGINE GROUND LOCATIONS. YES ANY of these can cause you to burn out the fusible link. Several dealers sell a ground modification and upgrade kit (I believe that it is made by CASPER'S ELECTRONICS); A lot of stuff is available through JEGS, Summit, etc Try www.kirbanperformance.com for the specific T/R KIT; It isn't cheap; back in 2004, it went for $49.95!!! Of course, nothing on those turbo cars is cheap... Try buying a reproduction wiring harness for a T/R to get hurt in the wallet...
Thanks Steve, that's just what I need to know. I painted the heads and powder coated the generator bracket were the battery ground wire was attached to pretty it up ! Think I made a big mistake ! I figured I lost my ground by doing that because the small ground wire from the neg. post to the fender got hot enough it melted the insulation when I cranked the engine, right after that every thing was dead inside the car. I'm going to take the battery and starter in to get them checked first. Can those links be replaced by splicing new ones on the existing wires ? Thanks Roger
YEP; Splice away. You could even get ones from an old car in the junk yard; just cut about 6 inches above the junction. Put several pieces of shrink wrap on first and use butt connectors, crimp and solder then. Get high temp shrink wrap if you can. I've found that the flatter or duller the color works better than the shiny stuff. It is hidden inside the harness cover anyhow. ---------- Post added at 08:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:17 PM ---------- OOOH!!! Second thouhts....You may have damaged other wires with all that heat going through that one wire that melted. Don't take Johnny Five's request this time...DISASSEMBLE! and check the harness completely. appropriate link: Johnny Five, from the movie (ahem) Short Circuit... Thank you folks. Be sure to tip the waitresses...
