Trying to help a military friend at Ft Bragg help diagnose a problem with a 1981 FJ40

[Wadesters]

Hello,

Chris Wade here from Georgia. Recently I sold a 1981 FJ40 to a member of military at Ft Bragg. Great guy and very happy he has it. He came down to Georgia for a day to see and drive the FJ40. It ran perfectly, he loved, it and had it transported to Ft Bragg. After driving it a couple of days one morning he went out and it was completely dead, no clicks, lights, nothing. Said he tried jumping it and nothing. We are starting with the basics. He took the battery somewhere and they said it was good. Then since a Duralast he had the battery tested at Autozone and they said it was bad. For some reason they had to order a battery which will not be in until Tuesday.

Just thinking ahead and brainstorming if it is not the battery. I told him to clean the ground connection from battery to frame. Had him check the main power wire (blue & white) on passenger side coming off battery and it is plugged in and not corroded. Doesn't seem like it can be anything catastrophic but want to get him up and running.

If needed...... is anyone close to Ft Bragg that could help out (I will compensate you). Are there any shops close to Ft Bragg. He has limited mechanical skills but is willing to try ideas I and others have.
Hopefully the battery is going to be the problem just don't see how it could be that dead where nothing operates.

Thank you!

 

[Malleus]

I'd look at the ignition switch. Try jumping the connectors on the back side of the lock cylinder. (you only need to remove the left side clamshell). This has happened on mine.

 

[Wadesters]

Thank you, Certainly something to try. However #1 not sure he is that mechanical. #2 would that keep even the lights from working?

 

[Malleus]

It's not really that hard.; remove the screws on the clamshell and short the pins with a screwdriver.
No, the lights would still work. If you put the key in the ignition and the buzzer works, it definitely not the switch.

If the lights don't work, and the battery is good, it's likely a ground fault. He checked all the fuses, right?

If he can get it to the auto hobby shop, there will be someone there who can help him. And it's free. IIRC, they also have a tow truck.

 

[Jeff Elliott]

Might be wrong but believe the later models had some sort of fusable link near the positive post of the battery. That would be a suspect (assuming I'm right).

 

[lt1fire]

Fusible link is where I'd start. Then the ground strap and the wires that run up the steering column.

On something this old a wire corrosion is the main culprit.

 

[Wadesters]

Thank you!

 

[Malleus]

It would probably be a good idea for him to post here himself. He doesn't need to be a member to ask questions.

 

[fj40alex]

Similar thing happened to my ‘82. Checked everything. Then found a mud thread that suggested bypassing the ignition resister - to see if the internal wire inside was broken. Another option is to use a multi meter and check for resistance. Sure enough, mine failed. I could bypass it with a jumper wire and fire it up. I now carry a spare. Cheap part. Stock photo for example. The wire inside can fail and you can’t tell from looking at it.

 

[SHIfTHEAD]

Owning an old 40 and not being mechanically inclined is very dangerous to one's finances. If there is no sound at all then the starter solenoid isn't getting a 12v signal from the ignition switch, because even a weak battery will create some clicking of the solenoid. So I'm betting either the ignition switch is going bad or the little wire that hooks onto the starter solenoid and carries the 12v signal from the ignition switch is loose or has fallen off.