Hatejones21

I have a 1972 cutlass I just recently got .i have no power battery is at 12.5 v the car was running fine then All of a sudden it stopped I had the car running went to turn the lights on and the car died and haven't started since

NHolds

Start with the cables. Make sure you have no corrosion, and a good ground.

don71

Battery is on the weak side.

Like mentioned, check ALL connections. I'd be suspect of battery terminals and cables them selves.

Gary M

While the battery is unhooked get it checked at your local auto parts store. Pretty sure that's free. If the battery is good and connections look ok then charge the battery, install it, start the car, take the negative battery cable loose and away from the battery but don't let it touch anything. If the car dies the alternator or regulator if it's external may be bad. My 72 had the regulator built into the alternator.

chip-powell

Just some out of the box thinking...
After you are done checking the battery, make sure that all of the hoses are good (connections, dry rot, etc...). It could be vacuuming shut on you.

smash72

I would be suspect of the main frame ground. New car I bet the first thing you did was wash it. That water washed away the corrosion on that loose connection. The build up was the only thing holding it from getting loose. Trace neg cable to frame ground. Too specific that's because it happened to me.

zeeke

Does it do anything, crank, lights on of? If not, on a long shot I had a 69' Chevy years ago with a similar problem, The junction box on the firewall had issues.