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Could some one tell where to find the horn relay on a 1979 H/O and I will be checking the fusible link at the starter and know where that one is.
I walked into the garage and smelled something burning , uncovered the car and opened everything up disconnected the battery with a voltage of 11.87volts and let it sit. after an hour I charged the battery up to 12.5 witch did not take long and reconnected up to the car.
No lights or power anywhere and good voltage at the battery.
You most likely lost the fusible link that feed power to the cabin. I don't know exactly if it's at the starter or horn relay on your year model. I believe your horn relay is on the firewall. You'll need to figure out why it burned.
Another cause for complete loss of power could be at the bulkhead connector.
Forgot to note that I washed the car over the weekend and may have been a little careless around the T-Tops.
That's the only thing I can think of that may have caused this as it was running fine then parked in the garage and covered.
There are two fusible links. Both are at the main power stud on the starter. The horn relay is located in the convenience center panel next to the fuse box under the dash, unless you have the reminder package, in which case it is on a pigtail taped to the harness near the fuse box.
If the fusible link is burned, you will need to remove the bad link and crimp on a new fusible like wire. The general rule-of-thumb for sizing the fusible link is 4 wire numbers higher (smaller gauge) than the wire it's will be protecting; i.e. 14awg link will protect a 10awg wire, 16awg link to protect a 12awg wire, etc. Here is a link to 14awg Pico fusible link wire on Amazon.
Rodney
A few shots. Positive battery cable shorted to the starter solenoid and took the two fuses-able links with it. So. New pos battery cable , net starter solenoid , and new fuse-able links. The last pic it fell on the floor what is it??
If the fusible link is burned, you will need to remove the bad link and crimp on a new fusible like wire. The general rule-of-thumb for sizing the fusible link is 4 wire numbers higher (smaller gauge) than the wire it's will be protecting; i.e. 14awg link will protect a 10awg wire, 16awg link to protect a 12awg wire, etc. Here is a link to 14awg Pico fusible link wire on Amazon.
Rodney
As correctly noted by Rodney, it's in your best interest to purchase a fusible link (wire) since the wire itself & the insulation protecting the wire are NOT the same as a normal length of 14AWG wire. Best to buy a fusible link wire.
The round part that fell out is a spacer used on GM vehicles with side terminal batteries and two main cables going to the battery. This goes between the molded plastic ends of the battery cables to make contact. My 1999 truck has this. I don't think it came from the Olds originally.
That's correct Joe fell off the battery.. I put it on the starter bolt on the bench so I would not loose it it was not on the starter bolt when I removed it.
Oldcutlass How can you tell it was installed wrong and is there a correct wire routing diagram out there
I will be replacing a lot of wires on this and new fuse-able wires . The fuse-able link has a 16 stamped on it it that the correct fuse-able wire to look for?
Following up on Norm's post; I didn't mention that the Pico fusible link wire has a flame-proof outer jacket that won't start a fire when it burns. 16awg is the correct size to protect a 12awg wire. You will only need about 6" of the Pico wire to do the job.
He is basing that comment on the number of washers on that starter bolt. That may or may not have contributed to the wiring problems.
Note this is not a stack of washers on a too-long starter bolt.
Originally Posted by leftlaneonly
That's correct Joe fell off the battery.. I put it on the starter bolt on the bench so I would not loose it it was not on the starter bolt when I removed it.
I have not seen an Oldsmobile wiring diagram demonstrating anything other than red positive (+) power cables for any model year. You just watch, someone will post a 79 H/O w/ a black cable.
A battery disconnect switch is on my list of parts now. Thanks
I applied 12v to the two fuse-able link wires with a jump wire and all lights and power to the cabin worked.
after a little dance I removed the jump wire and will plan out the rewiring
Last edited by leftlaneonly; Dec 12, 2023 at 04:45 AM.
A good example of why I installed a battery disconnect switch.
How does that help if it shorts while you're driving? It's far more likely that vibration from the engine while running will cause a problem. The right answer is ensure the cable is in good shape and routed correctly.
How does that help if it shorts while you're driving? It's far more likely that vibration from the engine while running will cause a problem. The right answer is ensure the cable is in good shape and routed correctly.
But it might help from burning your garage and or house to the ground. He said, "I walked into the garage and smelled something burning".
Dave, It sounds like you've gotten the problem resolved. Sorry, I just saw this post today. My computer died last month and I've been using my daughter's laptop. It wasn't unexpected since it was an old Toshiba model from 2006. Now the only issue is trying to retrieve all the photos I had stored on it including some of the cars and car shows I attended and especially some of my dog Ginger, who we had to put down in June after a sudden illness. If you have any questions or concerns about your car you can PM me or call me directly at my house.
Thanks,
Phil
Hey Blue
I had to make all the wires that go to the started and that took some time to get the correct wires for replacement. I cleaned up all the old connectors and attached them to the new wiring . also a new starter solenoid that did not fit but 2nd one same part number fit like a glove. I have everything ready for this weekend but first thing will be a sleeve for a broken oil dip stick tube that broke. with the starter out I can finally see this thing. and a oil change while it's up off the ground on 4 wheel ramps.
Next up transmission pan gasket. Looks easy enough I have a new gasket will it need gasket sealer or put it on dry. What type transmission fluid. How much fluid please
I've had really good results with Lube Locker reusable gaskets. Install them dry. Be careful not to over-torque the bolts (and check the pan rail for flatness before reinstalling it - you can straighten it if needed). You'll want to change the filter while the pan is off.
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