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Electrical System Problem Need Help ASAP

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kyreb1862

kyreb1862

Jedi Knight
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I just installed a new 100 amp alternator in my 77 B. As I was hooking the heavy brown wire to the back of the alternator there was a spark because I had forgotten to unhook the battery. I then disconnected the ground and finished my hookup. Now I have no electrical power on any of my systems. No lights, no horn, no fuel pump, no nothing. What have I done and where do I look. Advice please!!
 
Check your fuses first. Sounds like you may have popped a main fuse if there is no power to any systems.

Throw a meter across the battery terminals to make sure the battery is still good. And just to state the obvious, make sure you reconnected the ground!

Just a few starting places...
 
NO power?!? That thing has NO "Main fuse"...

Is there a "crash switch" in it? Grey tubular thing hung under the passenger side footwell... that's about the only thing I can think of to cut power to the entire electrical system.

Re-establish the main ground at the battery, check the iggy switch for heat damage.
 
Showing my ignorance - I have no knowledge of the RB 'lectricals...

However, I stick by my suggestion of checking the battery first to make sure it's up to the task and to insure proper terminal connections.

I'm interested to hear the outcome of this.
 
Could easily be a poor battery terminal connection Mike. Just seems "funny" that it all went dead ~suddenly~ like that. There was an "inertia switch" in 'em later, not sure the '77 has one but it hit me as a possibility.
 
Turns out I hadn't tightened up the positive connection from another project I had been working on and in the process of loosening the ground cable I had knocked it loose. I found it and fixed it. All is right with the world once again. Thanks for the responses.
 
Always, always. always follow this procedure:

Remove ground cable from battery first and reinstall last. Even when you 'know' what you are doing you should always isolate the battery. Doesn't matter if + or - earth, it's a safety thing as a hot spark near an over-gassing battery can lead to an explosion and spraying of acid in one's face. Also safety related is preventing the welding by errant spark of a spanner to your wedding ring.
 
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