Mystery Ground

[Isaactf2]

My '85 FJ60 has a ground somewhere that's preventing power from getting to anything. No radio, headlights, etc.

For a week or so, if I wiggled the negative battery terminal she would wake up and I could start the vehicle, and one running I have no problems.

Are there any common locations I should check to find the root of this problem?

Thanks,
Isaac

 

[OSS]

the battery negative post should be cleaned along with the cable clamp. The fact that you could just wiggle the cable clamp on the battery to sometimes make a connection attests to the fact that its a poor connection there. Don't be fooled by the big cable clamp. It can seem tight but not conduct electricity at all.

 

[Isaactf2]

I cranked it down until it didn't wiggle, and I still didn't have power.

I traced the positive line to a connection on the right(passenger) side and a plug that I think goes to the passenger side fuze box and found the clip was broken. Squished them together and added some electrical tape and the gremlins are gone (for now)!

Only cost me an hour in the Home Depot parking lot digging around under the hood.

Thanks!