67 pontiac bonneville-Need help confirming if electrical/wiring harness!

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen.

I have a 67 Pontiac Bonneville that just, what I think, electrically died on me. It's not doing anything. NO lights or nothing. This is the first time this has happened, not to mention, I've been the owner since Jan 2007.

I started it up and drove it 2 blocks and it completely shut off. I waited a few secs and turned the key and it started up, but put it in drive and went another block and it died for good.

I applied booster cables to attempt a jump but nothing. Took the battery out and had it checked at AutoZone and the battery is perfect. I started looking at the battery terminals, they were both corroded badly, but the AutoZone Manager stated that it wouldn't be the terminals preventing a complete electrical shut down as such.

I even connected a new battery to the Bonneville but nothing still. I'm thinking wiring harness or something electrical.

Also, what would case battery terminals to corrode so fast? Is there a special heavy duty type that I can use to prevent this or is there a short or open the electrical system of the car?

Can anyone diagnose this issue?

Thanks,
2early

Look closely at the cables, also starter connections, check the ground cable closely on the block or frame.

the AutoZone Manager stated that it wouldn't be the terminals preventing a complete electrical shut down as such.


The manager's statement is completely wrong. A fault with the terminals (or the connections that maxwedge listed above) will, without doubt cause such a complete shut down.

Also check the alternator connections or ground. Even with a bad terminal,power from the alternator should keep the car running unless there is a wiring fault.

I had a similar problem twice on 2 different vehicles.
On mt 72 Chevy ElCamino the fusible link between the battery connection to the starter and the fuse pannel corroded inside the insulation and caused no power to the fuse block.
The second incident was with my 67 Camaro. There is a fusible wire between the battery and the fuse block. The wire burned out and the car was dead.
Neither fusible links showed from the outside.
If you have good connections to the batery with your big cables, look to see if there is any power on the fuse block. If not, trace it (I think it's a #8 or 10 red wire) backwards toward the battery.

This is cheap and the first thing I'd replace, the ignition switch, just to rule it out and probably not a bad idea on an old car.

Bob

On a 67 GM ...there is a secondary power wire other than the large one to the starter. Its about 10 gauge and is red, sometimes it runs from the starter, sometimes from the battery. This wire runs everything except when the starter is cranking. Sounds to me, this wire has lost contact somewhere, not allowing power to get to the ign switch etc....I dont think 67s had fuseable links...may be wrong.

Check out my forum for older cars.

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