Bought this '82 FJ40 yesterday, not starting after transport!

[DelMarCruiser]

I picked up a relatively rust-free 1982 FJ40 yesterday up in Big Bear, CA! (I woill attach pics but I am over my quota on attachments, do I need to subscribe to add additional pics as I can't seem to delete my attachments?) It spent 20+ years in Las Vegas before spending the last 6 in Big Bear. It has been sitting for about a year but started right up with a jump yesterday to get her on the trailer. I got home and even with a jump I couldn't get her to turn over. I checked and charged the battery and again not a peep today. I looked to see if something came loose during transport to San Diego but have had no luck. Any suggestions on where to start?

The starter was replaced less than two years ago.

 

[antFJ]

lights or anything? clicking?

if you're getting nothing i would start with the main ground/fuse panel

EDIT: $25 bucks will get you a "star" so you can post as many pictures as you'd like and your PM box gets an upgrade

 

[cea1]

Need more information. Does it turn over, or nothing at all? If nothing, and battery and starter are good, check all of your grounds. You should clean them all up anyway (as well as clean up fuse block). It can save you a lot of chasing electrical gremlins to make sure your grounds and fuse block are good with a new-to-you rig.

 

[FF LC FREAK]

Congrats on your purchase! As far as pics go, as said above, purchase a star and you can post as many photos as you like. Another option is to upload your pics to a host site such as picasa or flickr or the like and link them here.

 

[DelMarCruiser]

Thanks, yeah nothing at all, no lights, etc. Will start with grounds and fuse box. And I subscribed so I will upload some pictures tomorrow!

 

[cruiserjunkie]

Fusable link is what id check first

 

[DelMarCruiser]

So here are the first pics...

 

[ThreeFJman]

DelMar, All roads (wiring) lead to the problem. Sure sounds like a dead short somewhere. After the fuses are all checked check your battery ground, then check it again. Maybe ignition switch problems?? It started and ran befor transport? Sounds like a loose wire somewhere. If your headlights dont work then it s not an ignition switch issue. I agree with Cruiserjunkie, start at the fuse box and work toward the battery and known power. Sounds like a very nice 40. If all fails, Ill buy it! lol

ThreeFJman

 

[ThreeFJman]

Nice pix! I hope you can figure it out and get it dirty! After you do a little more inspector gadget, let us know more.

 

[ThreeFJman]

Steal some power from you neighbors christmas lights!

 

[78fj40mg]

Typical ignition switch problem, they are cheap and easy to replace.

 

[Fast Eddy]

Typical ignition switch problem, they are cheap and easy to replace.

Ignition switch is not in the path of the lights. I'd be more inclined to think it was a dead short in the battery itself. Measure the battery voltage with the cables disconnected and measure the resistance between the battery cables with all the switches switched off.

 

[Bodean]

Jump around the fusable link and see if it will crank. If It does the replace link.

 

[DelMarCruiser]

A wire came loose at the fusable link! Started right up and is now ready for restoration...where to start?

 

[Poser]

A wire came loose at the fusable link! Started right up and is now ready for restoration...where to start?

I would start with that.

If that connection is not secure and clean it will only lead to more electrical issues in the future.

 

[BreckenridgeCruiser]

you said you had to jump this thing to get it started and get it on the trailer. If the battery was that dead to begin with it probably has been sitting and probably didn't do too well with all the vibration. If you have a spare battery sitting around I would drop it in just to see if you can get started on that before you mess with the wiring.

 

[duffontap]

A wire came loose at the fusable link! Started right up and is now ready for restoration...where to start?

Do what Poser said then it. There are a lot of decisions involved in a restoration; contemplate them while enjoying driving it. Also, driving it gives you time to work out little mechanical details and figure out what it needs.

If it were mine, I'd get some steel wheels and take the diamond plate corners off and see what's underneath (patch/fill/fix as needed), but your eye might call for something different.

 

[Chamba]

I agree with Kraig. My grandfather used to say 'if the TV doesn't work, make sure it is plugged in before you call a repairman'. Go for the simple stuff first. Often if the battery is really toast (which it may well be after having sat for a year) it will take a hell of a jump to get the rig to crank over. You may have gotten the last bit of oomph out of the old bettery when you jumped it the first time.

Nice rig - pity about the diamond plate, but it does not look like the rust they were hiding is too bad. Power steering and air con?

Josh

 

[pavieSD]

I would be interested in taking a closer look and can give you some tips on where to start. PM with your contact information. I'm usually up in Del Mar every couple of days, and would be happy to stop by and take a look. Cheers.

Mark

 

[DelMarCruiser]

Ok, so this afternoon the starter is just clicking and not turning over. I thought as some of you suggested that maybe I just got the last bit of juice from the battery when I drove it this morning but when I went under to inspect the starter, the ground from the starter is not grounded at all but completely disconnected. Could this be "another" problem as well as my solution to starting issues?