SVX Wont Start .. Dead Silence

[knowtion]

I suspect that from leaving my door open a crack that it drained the battery completely, I dunno how old the battery is but it looks aged.

the car won't boost, the dash lights don't even turn on when trying to boost

I put in a brand new battery (it is from another vehicle and is not the same size but it should at least start it i would think!)
and it still doesnt even light up anything, it's as if the power is cut off completely except for a faint electronic noise when I try to start it.

I know that when the transmission is in gear or reverse that you can't start it, could it be that there is some switch in the tranny that is engauged while it's in park? Maybe i should put it out of Park and back to see if it free's something up I haven't tried that yet.


I also tried starting another car with my SVX battery and it's DEAD!


So I think I need a battery but i'm rather concerned, why wouldn't she boost?

[SoCal LS-L]

First thought is dirty or corroded battery terminals. Ive had this problem a few times before. You have a terminal brush?? Clean the heck out of your battery posts and the inside of the terminals until they are shiny.... Its a first step in the process of elimination and also the cheapest/easiest

[TomsSVX]

Originally Posted by SoCal LS-L

First thought is dirty or corroded battery terminals. Ive had this problem a few times before. You have a terminal brush?? Clean the heck out of your battery posts and the inside of the terminals until they are shiny.... Its a first step in the process of elimination and also the cheapest/easiest

If the terminals are good, take a look at your fusible link. I have had one corrode on me and at the drop of a hat let the entire electrical system go... It is in the fuse box under the hood

Tom

[kwren]

Originally Posted by TomsSVX

If the terminals are good, take a look at your fusible link. I have had one corrode on me and at the drop of a hat let the entire electrical system go... It is in the fuse box under the hood

Tom

+ 1 for Toms

[knowtion]

I'm assuming that this is my busted fusable link


Do you think I should just cover the mended link with some electrical tape or try to find a new one?






Thanks guys, I haven't tested it yet but this looked pretty bad, it was completely seperated

[SoCal LS-L]

Yikes! Cant tell if theres corrosion from the pics..... Looks like something blew it. Is there a possibility someone hooked up the jumper cables backwards? You can find new fusible links at your local auto parts stores....

[TomsSVX]

buy a new one as soon as possible

Tom

[knowtion]

just tried napa and canadian tire both dont have my fuseable link .. the thing is getting hot too !

[TomsSVX]

you really need to try and source one from a dealer. The fact that it is getting hot concerns me though, do you have any blown fuses??

Tom

[knowtion]

now my clock and rear defroster are not working, must be a fuse someplace but I did not notice any blown fuses in the fusebox, but some of them have some really weird gunk build up inside.

[TomsSVX]

That gunk is to protect the unused fuse terminals from exposure and corrosion.

My guess is you have a short which is blowing the clock fuse and also your fuseable link... Gotta find the short

Tom

[SoCal LS-L]

Give us some background if you will... did you just buy the car recently? How long have you had it before this all started?? And also you said the fusible link gets hot..... does it do it just sitting there or when you have the ignition on/car running?? Finding a short is a sometimes long process of elimination, but a lot of us here can help you through it...... just need a tad bit more info.

[knowtion]

I recently aquired the car maybe 4 weeks now and I love it so far despite the tranny slipping which I was anticipating anyways.

So the car wouldn't start up the other day and I assumed it was the battery ... and I think the battery was drained for some reason (door open perhaps) but I am not 100 % on the battery.

When I went to check the the fusable link it was completely seperated diddn't look burnt or fried mainly looked worn.
So I mended the fusable link temporarily with similar wire and wrapped it in electrical tape.

So the car starts up fine now upon mending the link and charging the battery. The battery seems to be holding a charge.
Since I got the car started I noticed that the Clock and Rear Defroster do not work


When I take the fusable link out it is hot but I haven't tested to see if it gets hot without the car running. It's really really wet outside!


It's a special order item, none of the dealerships had it in stock so i'm using this busted fusable link for a couple days ... I hope this thing will hold up and now ruin anything.

[SoCal LS-L]

Ok gotcha..... yeah the fusible link carries a lot of amperage so im suspecting thats why its getting hot... too much resistance. That can happen with smaller wire being used or the connections being faulty. The clock and rear defroster is probably a fuse, especially if they worked before your link went bad. Do you have the original owners manual?

[knowtion]

Nah I dont have the manual at least I don't think I do .. i'll double check that.

Do you know if the defrost fuse would be in the fusebox, or in the dash ?

Thanks for the help here.