Did I just blow up my Fusible link?

[Stivva]

Hey guys,

I put my car on the tow truck last night Not bad considering its the first time it has broken down on the side of the road since I have had it.

Anyways, I know its electrical. The battery and starter motor have power (13 odd volts) but the volts meter and ignition have nothing.

The fusible link seems to have turned to dust (dead set, the insulation plastic on the fuses crumbles when touched), but my question is, is this the first stop for power on the way to the ignition from the starter?

[Lynton]

From my experience the fusible link will short out if plastic powder from plastic covers gathers dust at the bottom and if the fusible link wiring is old replace with new otherwise power to engine and ignition is completely cut and total power is dead or  at the least, intermittent breakdown of power where engine can cut in and out, once I put new wiring in the fusible link I have no issues now at all regards lynton

[Stivva]

It does seem to be the problem. It is also the only rewiring that hasn't been done since I have owned the car, so I guess now is a good time.

[Luni260z]

My car had no power. Battery, starter, alternator all showing 13v, everything else: nothing.

Maybe I'd had too many beers but after checking fuses I was stumped. Came to look for help and found this thread.

 

Thanks to you I found the problem. Somehow the fusable link wasn't in nice and tight.

 

 

I'll donate some cash to the site tmrw as my way of saying thanks.

[Stivva]

Well! Glad my problem has helped someone else!

[jamo240]

Yes...the fusible link down by the starter is the circuit that provides power to the vehicle body and engine harnesses. If you look, you will see the main power cable goes from the battery down to the starter B+ terminal, and the FL is connected to the same terminal. If the fusible link fails, the vehicle electrics will be unpowered.

 

Jamo