Intermittent electrical issue

[JDuvall]

I plan to test this evening, we had a cold snap come through and I had to watch the Chiefs play, so I was a little preoccupied.

 

[JDuvall]

Sorry for a long delay, had to travel for work.
So my starter is dead, shorted to ground. This explains the dead battery and not starting. May explain the some of the voltage issues as well. More updates and pic to come.

 

[JDuvall]

New starter in and still having issues. Going to recheck all connection and try again in the morning.

 

[JDuvall]

Well I believe I found my issue. Only time will tell. I put Everything back together and it would only buzz the starter solenoid. I jumped out the solenoid and the motor cranked over. So I went and got a new starter solenoid cleaned the grounds and when I went to put the wires back on the fusible link terminal broke off.
I have replaced the fusible link with an actual fuse and holder. Everything starts ups and runs now. I have my fingers crossed but so far so good.

 

[Cleveland Crush]

Yep Duvall, I believe you found the gremlin. Way to go!

 

[mrgmhale]

Well I believe I found my issue. Only time will tell. I put Everything back together and it would only buzz the starter solenoid. I jumped out the solenoid and the motor cranked over. So I went and got a new starter solenoid cleaned the grounds and when I went to put the wires back on the fusible link terminal broke off.
I have replaced the fusible link with an actual fuse and holder. Everything starts ups and runs now. I have my fingers crossed but so far so good.

Many thanks for taking the time to post a follow-up. And for taking the photo of the Fusible Link that had its terminal end break off. Whenever I read books on vehicle wiring, when it comes to diagnosing open circuits (and presumably intermittent open circuits) the author typically includes a comment about checking fuses and Fusible Links. But, in my 52 some odd years of working on and tinkering with these First Generation Mustangs, I only rarely ever saw a problem with them. And those few problems involved they having become overloaded and burning out, although there is no doubt the terminals could be poorly connected during original construction, like what you found.

So, your photo will burn brightly in the back of my mind when it comes to open circuits, especially if it is an intermittent open circuit. Good job finally finding that. I sincerely hope that is the only cause if your electrical maladies.

 

[JDuvall]

Many thanks for taking the time to post a follow-up. And for taking the photo of the Fusible Link that had its terminal end break off. Whenever I read books on vehicle wiring, when it comes to diagnosing open circuits (and presumably intermittent open circuits) the author typically includes a comment about checking fuses and Fusible Links. But, in my 52 some odd years of working on and tinkering with these First Generation Mustangs, I only rarely ever saw a problem with them. And those few problems involved they having become overloaded and burning out, although there is no doubt the terminals could be poorly connected during original construction, like what you found.

So, your photo will burn brightly in the back of my mind when it comes to open circuits, especially if it is an intermittent open circuit. Good job finally finding that. I sincerely hope that is the only cause if your electrical maladies.

Thank you for the kind words. I hope is helps others as well. I know it is sometimes hard to find information on things like fuseable links and 90% of the time it is working or it is blown. Rarely is it broken with intermittent contact.