Guest Posted October 9, 2002 Share Posted October 9, 2002 Tried to start my car and noticed all my fuel had spilled out. But what is odd is that when I turn the key, engine doesn't even turn over. Battery is practically new, I charged it anyway. Still nothing...Any ideas as to where I should start? Thanks in advance.KEN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 9, 2002 Share Posted October 9, 2002 You didn't mention if the started turned over or if the solenoid clicked, are any of these things happening or are you getting nothing at all? Do your lights work? sometimes a bad ground will do it. let us know what's working or not working as the case may be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 10, 2002 Share Posted October 10, 2002 I love your photo...gave me a good chuckle!! That's right no clicking from solenoid at all. I did notice that ground doesn't connect anywhere, just sort of dangling. NO lights, no power windows or dome light doesn't come on.So you think ground cable is culprit? I think somebody got in there and removed it. In theory it can just connect to any part of the body as long as its metal right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 10, 2002 Share Posted October 10, 2002 Basic battery faq's Your car is negative ground so the negative cable should be connected to the engine or chassis while your positive lead goes to the solenoid and from there to the starter with smaller leads for power tapped off of it. Some GM cars,of which yours may be one have a combination solenoid-clutch mounted atop the starter, start with your battery wiring first, easy enough to tell the correct polarity by following the long lead to the starter or solenoid, this is your positive lead+ and as mentioned negative leads are mounted on the engine,chassis, inner fender,anywhere you can get a good ground, trace your wires and let us know, hope this helps some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 L.I.,No problem in determining polarity, but negative has a loose wire with an eyelet on the end. That's the ground wire but don't remember it dangling before. I'll find a screw and fasten that to the fender well so that it's touching metal. I'll try getting a jump start from a buddy. If it starts, I'll let it run so alternator can charge up.P.S. No clutch as you mentioned, car has AT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordee9r (Ron Springstead) Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 Whoa! Don't fasten your main ground cable from the battery just anywhere, fasten it to the engine block!!! Your starter draws more current than any electric devise and requires the most direct ground it can get. There is probably a small ground wire between the rear of the engine to the firewall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 This is some good [censored]. That's why I love this forum, thanks FORDEE9R! Will heed the advice...cheers.KEN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 18, 2002 Share Posted October 18, 2002 That's right, should be a flat copper mesh cable going from the rear of the engine to the firewall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted October 19, 2002 Share Posted October 19, 2002 Some late 60s GM cars have a small gage ground wire from the battery (-) post to the fender that if not connected, will make one do all grades of weird things including not starting. Others have this small gage wire run from the engine block ground point to the frame. If the heavy battery (-) cable is connected properly at both the battery post and the engine block, and there is a small wire at the terminal that is not connected to anything, then connect it to the fender and see if the car will start. This applies to the (-) side only, <span style="font-weight: bold">do not connect any wire from the battery (+) directly to ground</span> unless you want arcs and sparks- and not KMatthews, it sounds like someone either tried to steal your battery or decided to have some "fun" with you. If you're not completely sure what has happened here or how to repair it, consult a mechanic. It would be cheaper than an electrical fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 23, 2002 Share Posted October 23, 2002 Well that was an easy fix...it was the battery. All the juice had been zapped out of it, don't know how but she's working now. Still concerned about the leaking gas, so I'll keep a close look on it and for now park on level ground (hehehe).Anyone know where I can pick up some fuel line (both rubber and metal) to replace? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted October 29, 2002 Share Posted October 29, 2002 You can get rubber fuel line and proper GM-style spring clamps at any auto parts store. If you need new metal lines, try www.inlinetube.com . Or you could just buy steel tubing at the auto parts store and bend and flare it to fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 13, 2002 Share Posted November 13, 2002 I don't know if this is consistent with all 1968 Cadillacs (there were some changes midyear), but my Deville convertible's ground is a thick-mesh, naked steel cable that connects to the front of the chassis. I'm sure any good place on the engine or chassis will/has done the trick. Hope you enjoy your Caddy for years to come Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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