MORE starter problems, car might be junk, help!!

[LoudLowNslow]

So i hooked up my starter wrong, im an idiot. i turned the key to see if it worked, and i heard a "pop", like a fuse blew or something, and the dash lights went off. i disconnected the battery, and hooked the starter up correctly, then reconnected the battert. Now the ONLY power i get through the car is my headlights,taillights,horn, and if i hit the brakes those lights come on. NOTHING else electrical in the car works, wether i turn the key forward or back. what could it be????PLEASE help me!!!!

[1986Z28]

sounds like you shorted something out, what that something is i have no clue

[JunkyardLife]

Dont panic..Pull your fuse panel off and check all your fuses closely. If theres no problems there, check all your wiring. Especially grounds.. Theres also a fuse on the passenger side fenderwall.

Youll find it.

[LoudLowNslow]

All the fuses on the inside of the car are good, and under the hood theres that other fuse box with big fuses in it and all those are good too..i hope its not anything too bad, i REALLY want to get this car on the road!

[GreyGoose006]

You'd really have to screw up to render a car usless after messing up the wiring. you may want to check the computer tho. if it is an older caprice w/ a carb, you can disconnect the computer and try to run it that way if the computer is bad, otherwise, im guessing you blew a fuse, or burnt up a wire that you dont see.

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by GreyGoose006

You'd really have to screw up to render a car usless after messing up the wiring. you may want to check the computer tho. if it is an older caprice w/ a carb, you can disconnect the computer and try to run it that way if the computer is bad, otherwise, im guessing you blew a fuse, or burnt up a wire that you dont see.

There is a fusible link on a wire near the starter - this is a smaller gauge wire than normal and it has a special insulation on it. The fusible link is designed to blow if something shorts out, to prevent a fire. Look for blistered insulation on a wire - that will be a fusible link that's blown.

[Blue Bowtie]

Actually, I think there a three fusible links there.

[JunkyardLife]

Just a thought...When you try to crank the engine with your lights on - do the lights turn off? If they do, then theres just a loose cable/connection somewhere.
Good luck

[LoudLowNslow]

its not an older caprice, its a 95 9c1 with the lt1. The lights dont do anything when i try to crank it, because when i turn the key, nothing happens at all...and when i turn the key to accesories, nothing turns on(radio and all that), where would i find this inline fuse thing that was spoken of??

[Blue Bowtie]

Look in the UEC (Underhood Electrical Center) along the right rear corner of the engine compartment. There are a couple of MAXI fuses there that protect the main power wiring. And if you haven't already done so, you might want to replace the cast zinc main power stud there with the phosphor/bronze upgrade part to prevent further trouble.