Fusible link problem?

[JacktheRiffer]

Looking at buying a 71 240z soon. The seller an I have discussed the car and it does not run currently and the issues he has said are: all new electrical system but no power and he has not replaced the fusible link, I think that it may be fried and was wondering if that is the case how hard and how long does it take to replace one? If its quick I may see if I could fix it in his yard and drive it home instead of towing it.

[LeonV]

Did you pay for it already? Don't fix someone else's car, either buy it and fix it, or don't buy it. Replacing a fusible link is about as difficult as replacing a fuse.

Your post is nebulous, why do you think the issue is a fusible link? Is there no power at all when the key is turned?

[JacktheRiffer]

There is power to anything at all even with a new battery. My plan is to buy the car, replace the link and drive home. If its as simple as a fuse replacement I don't want to have the hassle of towing the car home.

[SteveJ]

The fusible link is easy to replace. It connects between the starter and the wiring harness. The most time consuming part is removing & replacing the nut on the starter where the ring for the link lands.

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/12-4332

http://www.zzxdatsun.com/catWiring.php

[Mike]

The fusible link is easy to replace. It connects between the starter and the wiring harness. The most time consuming part is removing & replacing the nut on the starter where the ring for the link lands.

The Z Store! Nissan-Datsun 240Z-260Z-280Z-280ZX-300ZX(Z31/Z32)-350Z-370Z Parts: Fusible Link, 71-73 240Z

Banzai Motorworks

I wish I would have known about Banzai when I was restoring my Z. I think I paid close to a hundred bucks for that firewall boot. I am wondering if their connectors would help some of my existing issues. Good find with Banzai. I'll have to see if they want to be listed in our Vendors area.

[SteveJ]

I wish I would have known about Banzai when I was restoring my Z. I think I paid close to a hundred bucks for that firewall boot. I am wondering if their connectors would help some of my existing issues. Good find with Banzai. I'll have to see if they want to be listed in our Vendors area.

I got the seat foam for my 260Z from Banzai, along with a few other parts. Mike is a great guy to work with.

[Carl Beck]

There is power to anything at all even with a new battery. My plan is to buy the car, replace the link and drive home. If its as simple as a fuse replacement I don't want to have the hassle of towing the car home.

The hassle of towing it home - might be far less than the hassle of smelling your entire wiring harness burn up on the road.

When a fusible link melts down - it is usually, not always but usually something seriously wrong in the electrical system. Individual fuses blow on the branch circuits with minor shorts or overloads caused by resistance/corrosion. The fusible links blow more or less as a last resort to save the entire wiring harness.

Replacing the fusible link without first finding what caused it to blow in the first place - can be very risky.

Personally I'd buy the car if I wanted it - I'd tow it home, then take my time to go over the electrical system with the proper test equipment. Might save a lot of additional headaches that way...

FWIW,

Carl B.

[FastWoman]

Replacing the fusible link without first finding what caused it to blow in the first place - can be very risky.

True, but usually our fusible links die through corrosion. If that's the case, then no worries. Just replace it.

That said, I wouldn't want to drive a previously non-running car in unknown condition very far to get it home. I definitely wouldn't take it on any busy roads. Also, depending on how long it's been sitting, I wouldn't even start it up without draining the old gas.

Edited May 3, 2012 by FastWoman

[LeonV]

Old gas? I'd be more concerned about the condition of the brake fluid, oil and coolant before I'd worry about old gas. How long has the car sat?

[EScanlon]

Carl's point is spot on.

While sometimes it is the corrosion that causes the fusible link to fail, more often than not it is due to a massive short of some sort. Whether it's a positive post from the battery hitting the fender underside, or a cross connection between the main power wire at the fuse box and the choke cable, it's best to investigate WHY it blew first, than to arse-ume that it's something simple and therefore ok.

A little bit of examination may avoid a costly and difficult to replace part repair. A tow may be the cheapest solution for this as it stands, forget bad fuel, brake fluid etcetera, if it starts smoking, you may not have the time to stop the car and disconnect the battery before it melts down.

FWIW

E

[Zed Head]

The seller an I have discussed the car and it does not run currently and the issues he has said are: all new electrical system but no power and he has not replaced the fusible link,

I'm guessing that the seller has no idea why the car won't start and just came up with this out of thin air. If you were selling a car and knew that all you had to do was replace a fusible link to get the car to run and draw a much higher selling price, why would you not do so? Three red flags - car doesn't run, electrical system has been replaced, and seller comes up with WAGs about what's wrong.

[FastWoman]

Old gas? I'd be more concerned about the condition of the brake fluid, oil and coolant before I'd worry about old gas. How long has the car sat?

From a prior bad experience -- I started up and ran a car that had been sitting for 2 years. It seemed to run fine. Then I shut it down. After the engine had cooled, the valve train had been glued together with sticky varnish, which solidified when it cooled. When I cranked the engine again, I bent several valves. It's important to top off the other fluids (and then change them later). Old gas is the only old fluid I know that can cause a catastrophic failure.