Complete Loss Power - Help Needed

[The Rebel]

Was about 1/2 hr. away from home today and all of a sudden everything went dead, like the battery was disconnected. Was able to coast into a parking lot & looked for any loose wires under the hood, but didn't see any.

Playing around the bulkhead I noticed when I wiggled the center bulkhead connector I had power again. When I released it everything died again. I found part of a cut rubber hose on the ground & wedged it in between the bottom & middle connector & thankfully was able to get home.

In looking at the Engine Compartment Wiring Schematic and tracing any connections back to the battery it looks like socket J might be the culprit, but could some help.

 

[Ranger16]

Have you pulled and inspected the contacts in that connector?
Do you have a factory ammetter?

 

[Billccm]

You may want to read the mad ammeter bypass. Google and search here for a great explanation on the main power path.
Not saying you have to do the bypass, but reading the bypass will educate you on the power distribution etc.

 

[moparnation74]

More than likely the fusible link, engine side.....or dash side to the ammeter.....or the ammeter itself......

Inspect everything on socket J.........

If the gauge is the culprit......do the bypass......send the cluster out during the winter for restoration.......and do the amp to volt conversion and call it a day.....

 

[69Bee]

I had the same issue with my '74 Charger. It would just die, and I found out that if I wiggled the bulkhead, it would work again. Turned out, the ammeter wire (too small in my opinion) overheated and melted the bulkhead connection, causing an intermittent disconnect. I ran another wire from the alternator to the ammeter and never had an issue again.

 

[Billccm]

In my experience when a fusible link goes it goes. No intermittent functionality.

My dad's fusible link test was to pull each end of the link. If it was like a rubber band the fusible link was blown.

 

[The Rebel]

Thanks guys! I had the dash removed & all of the gauges restored last winter by D&M Restorations, so I'm thinking I'm ok on the dash side right now.

 

[miller]

Playing around the bulkhead I noticed when I wiggled the center bulkhead connector I had power again.

Probably worth your trouble, to pull all the connectors out of the firewall block, and look. The locking tabs, on the sides need to be in good shape. Clean all the wire/block connectors, look for any burning, and if all's good, coat them, back together making sure the locking tabs do lock.
Bet one of them wasn't pushed in all the way.

 

[The Rebel]

Last year I disconnected them, cleaned all of the contacts & then coated with dielectric grease. The locking tabs are in good shape with none broken. I have a feeling one of the wires may have wiggled loose & when it's all connected the wire is not making a good contact. This will be this weeks new project...

Probably worth your trouble, to pull all the connectors out of the firewall block, and look. The locking tabs, on the sides need to be in good shape. Clean all the wire/block connectors, look for any burning, and if all's good, coat them, back together making sure the locking tabs do lock.
Bet one of them wasn't pushed in all the way.

 

[miller]

Yep. There's a small locking tab, on each of the wire connectors, that keeps 'em in place. Maybe a little tug, on each wire, just to be sure. Easy fix!

 

[RobP]

Sounds like a loose connection at the bulkhead connector. Those connectors are a PIA! ( I replaced my bulkhead connector a while back) Definitely check out the bypass info as mentioned. I did the parallel wiring mod to alleviate the connection at the bulkhead, look into it.