[64Lemans]

Hello.
I have a 1964 Pontiac Lemans. Recently, the car wouldn't turn over.
So I decided to get a new battery. Got and installed the battery today. The dome light, radio, headlights...turned on and everything seemed to be working. So I was extremely happy and anxious to get my car started. The engine turned over a few times. I was a little timid to keep cranking it as I didn't want to kill the battery or flood it, etc...I then waited 15-30 seconds and tried to start the car again. Unfortunately, this time, there was absolutely no power. No dome light, no cranking over..no nothing. I started checking all the cables and connections. Everything is clean and tightly connected. I checked the black and purple cables coming from the horn relay junction to the starter. Looks like the black cable was laying on the exhaust manifold a bit. Doesn't look standard as the cable is a bit long.... Hopefully I am on the right track but wanted to see if anybody had any other ideas on what to check. Strange..another note.. the dome light randomly came on as I was sitting in the car, like a few minutes later. I am thinking its a short of some sort or some switch or solenoid ? Thank you in advance for any input. Andre from the Forum has been very very helpful in trying to help me troubleshoot this as well...which has led me to the starter cable. I've spend $25K on this car and I can't even start it in the garage to enjoy the .30 over 326 sound.
Thank you.

[Lemans64]

Sounds as though you have a bad connection at the horn relay Junction block, where the positive lead goes to first before going to
starter. Possibly bad red wire connector that feeds power into the interior, ignition switch etc. That feeds lights as well. Bad connection somewhere
in order for dome light to go out and come back on by itself.

[geeteeohguy]

Also check the two bulkhead connectors that are under the master cylinder on the firewall. They can get corroded and you end up with no power. The dome light issue is something else, though.

[64Lemans]

I took off the cables on the battery. Cleaned and tightened.
I took off the cables at the horn relay junction. Cleaned and tightened.

Followed the cable down to the starter. Noticed extra cable underneath, some of which was touching the exhaust manifold. Took the starter out. Disconnected and pulled out the started cable and found this.

Would this cut all power at random times?

[Bill Hanlon]

Yup.

[Lemans64]

Yes that is BAD, could have caused battery fire. Been there done that. Run a new battery cable to starter and hopefully will fix your issue.

Originally Posted by 64Lemans

I took off the cables on the battery. Cleaned and tightened.
I took off the cables at the horn relay junction. Cleaned and tightened.

Followed the cable down to the starter. Noticed extra cable underneath, some of which was touching the exhaust manifold. Took the starter out. Disconnected and pulled out the started cable and found this.

Would this cut all power at random times?

[64Lemans]

what gauge wire is the purple wire that runs down to the solenoid ?

[Lemans64]

minimum I would put in is 12 gauge. Nice to have 10 but 12 will work.
not sure one can find that size in purple, might have to order.

[64Lemans]

Thank you for the replies.

I ordered a new Battery Cable Positive from the Junction Block To Starter.
The purple wire coming out of the harness was spliced a few times.
Need to figure out from the bare wire from the harness to the plastic connector piece.

[Lemans64]

That part uses a standard Packard connector, should be fairly easy to get from your local parts place. Also the outside plastic housing for it should be available.
https://www.delcity.net/store/Packar...SAAEgLLp_D_BwE

Also make sure you clean that round terminal on the red wire, as that feeds power into the fuse box / ignition switch Dome light etc. As mentioned previously make sure the
fire wall connector is tight, should be 2 big connectors there.

[64Lemans]

Thank you.

On the red wire...How important is that little rubber boot? It was originally pushed all the way down...into the square drawn on the pic.

[Lemans64]

It's just there to help prevent water intrusion into crimp area and to help prevent this wire from shorting out to ground.
I would put cover back down and maybe tape it into place. If the crimp area of that connector looks corroded, you could cut it off and install a
new connector with a heat shrink sleeve. Providing there is enough length for a new connector.

[Goatracer1]

It sounds like you have done major work on your car. Remember BOTH ends of Both battery cables have to have a good CLEAN connection. Did you remove paint at engine where Ground cable connects?

[64Lemans]

Thanks again for all the replies and things to check.

I will make sure all connections are clean.
I will check where the ground connects to the block. I'm sure its all painted to be honest.

Should have the new cable ..hopefully on Wednesday so I can work on it...on Thursday.