Strange electrical problem 99' camaro ss
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Teching In
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From: Maryland
Strange electrical problem 99' camaro ss I have a 1999 camaro ss that hasn't been driven in a while. I replaced the battery and when I went to start the car there was a pop noise and then a loss of all electrical power. Now when I put the key in I still have no electrical power. If anyone has any idea of what the issue could be it would be greatly appreciated.
Some vehicles have a main fuse that can blow if you connect the battery backwards or touch the cables. Not sure the fbody has that or not. I'd look for a blown fuse in the fuse box under the hood.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2021
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From: Maryland
I checked all of the fuses and none are blown. I tried to start the car again and got electrical power but it was cut off again when I turned the key. After reading a some other forums I believe it's a fusible link. Does anyone know the locations of them?
According to circuit diagrams, the "top" underhood fuse block has about 8 maxi fuses between 40-50A rating, and 3 fusible links. Fusible links are for headlamps, body control module, and radio. There are some additional smaller fuses for other circuits that are fed by the maxi fuses. Not sure exactly where the fusible links are physically located but follow the red cables at fuse block and you'll run into them.
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
If the power comes back then it's not a fusible link. The fusible links are the primary circuit protection in the vehicle, even before the fuses, and they act like high current fuses in that they melt when too much current flows. And, just like a fuse, once they've melted (blown) they have to be replaced before you can get any current flowing again. So, the fact that the power cam back at some point proves that it can't be a fusible link.
If you want to look at them anyway, you'll find them in front of the left wheelwell behind electrical junction box #2. There are three of them - two black and one gray. They are short (6 to 8 inches) pieces of wire that are flexible and quite soft, unlike normal wiring which is more stiff with harder and smoother insulation. If they were melted, it would be easy to spot because they bulge at the point that melted and you can feel that the wire is broken there.
If you want to look at them anyway, you'll find them in front of the left wheelwell behind electrical junction box #2. There are three of them - two black and one gray. They are short (6 to 8 inches) pieces of wire that are flexible and quite soft, unlike normal wiring which is more stiff with harder and smoother insulation. If they were melted, it would be easy to spot because they bulge at the point that melted and you can feel that the wire is broken there.
