71cutlass455

So I just bought my cutlass on saturday, and trailered it home. I was in the process of checking all my fluids and doing a quick checklist. I went to check my oil, and the little tube the dipstick goes into pulle itself out. When it did that it sparked like all hell was breaking loose, so I quickly unplugged the battery and it stopped. Now I have no lights, and cant even turn over the motor. Did I do some serious damage or is it just a couple blown fuses due to a short in a wire somewhere?

Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks

ent72olds

Sounds like when it came out, it hit the terminals on the starter and maybe crossed or something, causing what happened. Or if it is a 64-67 (A-body I'm assuming you have?) maybe pulling out the dipstick, you hit the junction on the inner fender well that should have a plastic cap over it....sometimes happens to me! Either way, if it was that bad, you maybe melted the positive batt cable to the starter?

71cutlass455

Ive got a 71 cutlass, and I have no idea what I hit, i dont remember hitting anything at all lol. Im so confused, I have to take it to a guy to fix it for me

ent72olds

'71...must have hit a bad positive cable near the starter and it arced against the block....

71cutlass455

Thats a possibility, thanks, im gonna go check that.

BIGJERR

been there done that...........starter postive cable is bare somewere and when you pulled the dickstick and tube it grounded out and more that likely did some melting and welding............

svnt442

I wonder if he got too close to the horn relay on the drivers side fender???

71cutlass455

Im not sure what I did, but I did some fiddling with the wires, there were a couple exposed that I temporarily wrapped in electrical tape, and it started up fine. There was definitely a negative short somewhere that left me with no power. But its at the shop now and will be fixed BTW the first drive in it was awesome! Lots of power that ive never had in a car. My previous motor was a 350, so a 455 is a big step up

svnt442

You may want to look into replacing the harnesses under your hood. It sounds like a huge undertaking, but it's really not. I did mine a few months ago and I can't tell you how happy I am. The two harnesses cost about $325 for the pair. The piece of mind knowing I have new wiring under the hood is priceless.