NOTHING has power!

[mafioso44]

I am fixing a 1994 pontiac sunbird for a friend...and absolutely NOTHING has power...we just put a brand new battery in and replaced both terminals and the groundwire. But not even the headlights will come on. Battery has been checked, and its A-OK ... any thoughts? I'd say kill the poor car now before it suffers anymore but I'm just being a good friend here. Thanks!

[ales]

Does the starter motor turn the engine when you turn the key?

[mason_RsX]

Alternator?

[mafioso44]

Nope, nothing is getting juice, it's like something is blocking all current from the battery, a main fuse would seem likely but I have yet to find one.

[pind]

although I am not sure on this, being unfamiliar with these particular cars, somewhere under the hood should be a fuse / relay box, with maxi-fuses in it. the main fuse is generally a 50 amp, although it could be smaller. that could definitely be the problem

[mafioso44]

thanks! I'll go check again.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by pind

although I am not sure on this, being unfamiliar with these particular cars, somewhere under the hood should be a fuse / relay box, with maxi-fuses in it. the main fuse is generally a 50 amp, although it could be smaller. that could definitely be the problem

I agree. Sometimes some cars have a 'fusible link' that is the wire itself has a part of it that is designed to blow, like a fuse. (Ford loved using these) These types of wire require replacement. Try using a test light, the kind with a very sharp point that can pierce wire. Then you can trace the main power wire and see where the power stops.

Caution: Likely there is a reason why it blew the main fuse in the first place. There still might be some major short still in the system somewhere.

[pro_am]

try a worn ignition switch. It is a conducer where power is provided to things when the key is turned. If the conucter in there is worn out, or scorched from being worn over the years and arching then that is the problem. The are rebuildable, but not recommendable for those who are a not mechanically inclined. Just something you might check out, if you have no power when you turn the key. Hope you can get it figured out.
Jake