Electrical Troubleshooting

[88CeliGTVert]

Hey Guys,

I'm new to this forum, and I just bought an '88 Celica GT Convertible for $200. The guy I bought it from reversed the jumper cables when he was trying to jump start it, and I get no electrical power at all. I know about the fusible links in the box next to the battery, but they all appear to be fine. Has anyone experienced something like this before?

Thanks,

Shane

[Kwanza]

Originally posted by 88CeliGTVert
Hey Guys,

I'm new to this forum, and I just bought an '88 Celica GT Convertible for $200. The guy I bought it from reversed the jumper cables when he was trying to jump start it, and I get no electrical power at all. I know about the fusible links in the box next to the battery, but they all appear to be fine. Has anyone experienced something like this before?

Check the relays. I don't think Toyota ever used fuseable links... Check the relays on the postive battery terminal and the relays in the fuse compartment in the engine bay.

[Pineapple]

Remove the old battery first and try a fully charged new one.

[dodger1]

I have done plenty of electrical trouble shooting and would be happy to help you with this but I need a little more info.
What are the symptoms - no dash lights when you turn the key? What about headlights? Do you have a 12v test lamp? A volt meter is not the best tool for this because it will show 12v even with high resistance in the path. I would clip the test lamp lead on the negative battery terminal and check each fusible link with the lamp to start with. Then just keep testing farther and farther away from the battery.
Give us some detail and we'll try to help.

[88CeliGTVert]

Wow, thanks for the responses guys!

I haven't tried too much. I've attempted to jump start it (with the cables on correctly), and I get no power whatsoever. None of the accessories such as the lights or horn work, no clicking when I turn the key, nothing. I have taken out the fusible links and tested the two that I could locate for continuity, and they were both fine. I have looked at the fuse box under the dashboard, and the few fuses I examined looked just fine. I have a Chilton manual for the Celica, and it appears as there may be a third fusible link somewhere, but I can't seem to locate it.

Thanks again guys,

Shane

Originally posted by dodger1
I have done plenty of electrical trouble shooting and would be happy to help you with this but I need a little more info.
What are the symptoms - no dash lights when you turn the key? What about headlights? Do you have a 12v test lamp? A volt meter is not the best tool for this because it will show 12v even with high resistance in the path. I would clip the test lamp lead on the negative battery terminal and check each fusible link with the lamp to start with. Then just keep testing farther and farther away from the battery.
Give us some detail and we'll try to help.

[braddog0128]

I have a 88 celi convertible and I had a similar problem, i was driving and bam no power to anything, as if someone had taken out the battery right in the middle of me driving. It ended up being the wire from the fuse box that goes to the pos+ terminal of my battery, It somehow got disconnected in the insulation. At any rate put an ohm meter on it, thats what allowed me to see what had resistance and what didnt. good luck to you