Wiring help

[dnice386]

I'm working on a 1976 Nova. I just put the engine back in and am having problems with wiring. Originally I couldn't get power to crank the enigine over. I also had no juice running to any other elecrical components. No head lights, no door buzzer.
I was able to get power to crank the engine over. However I still have no power going anywere else. I was wondering if anyone has run into this before or has any thoughts on what my problem might be. I appreciate any thoughts on the subject.

Thanks

[brian70]

see if you hooked up the small diameter power wire that should appear out of the passenger fender that goes to the positive terminal on the battery. happened to me once and pulled my hair out.

[NOVA71]

I agree with Brian70, I had problems with the same wire. Drove me nuts as well. Mine wasn't making good contact and every once in a while i'd have no power to anything, then it would be fine, then nothing, then fine. A little scuff with the sandpaper and tightening up and problem solved. Hope yours is the same.

[dnice386]

I did find that wire and that's how I was able to get power to crank the engine over, but I'm still not getting power to any of the accessories. I'm able to trace power all the way back to the firewall, then nothing..... Thanks for the help & let me know if you come up with any other ideas.

[Tanker234]

You should have a brown wire going from your ignition switch to your fuse box. This should get your accessories working as long as you have a power from the alternator going to BAT2 and BAT3 at your ignition switch. The same power wire should go directly to your fuse box for things like your lights. Hope this helps.

[bobss396]

Make sure you have the ground strap attached from the engine to the firewall, those cause all sorts of havoc.

Bob

[dnice386]

Ground strap was the problem. It was broken. Replaced it for $9 and all my problems were solved. Thanks to everyone for your help.

[bobss396]

See? I knew it.. one in a row. I had built a NASCAR stock car and fired up the motor for the first time, it had a miss in it, sounded awful and the battery wire at the solenoid (mounted on the firewall) was hot as hell. I shut it down thought about it for a few minutes, whipped up a ground strap and everything was good after that.

Bob