Starter System Fusible Links ?

[willy41]

I've had some intermittent starting issues. Found a wire close to the solenoid which had broken just at the end of a fusible link. So I spliced in a new wire, but no longer have the fusible link.

It was so dirty and inaccessible I couldn't tell for sure which wire it was (either to the instrument panel or the junction block) but the piece itself had the number 124 on it.

(THANKS TO hatzie FOR HAVING THE DIAGRAMS AVAILABLE!)

Is it a mortal sin to operate without the fusible link? Thanks.

[panhandler62]

You loose some circuit protection that way. I would either replace it or use a "slow blow" fuse in its place.

[cdowns]

when it is burning down to the ground you'll think twice about your thinking

[VetteVet]

Give this a look and it may help.

.........http://forums.chevyhiperformance.com...fusable-links/

[willy41]

Originally Posted by willy41

I've had some intermittent starting issues. Found a wire close to the solenoid which had broken just at the end of a fusible link. So I spliced in a new wire, but no longer have the fusible link.

I mis-spoke there; I thought the one inch long barrel shaped thing was the fusible link; now I realize that was the "splice" and that the F Link is just the last portion of the wire connected to the solenoid. So that wire (FL) is still there and I still have protection. I will not have to watch it burn to the ground.

But I am still diagnosing the "intermittent" starting problem (won't crank.) So I want to check other fusible links to see if they're solid or broken. When one of these goes, is it in or near the splice or away from it. There is one FL on the firewall and the splice looks suspicious.

Is it acceptable to stick a pin into the wire away from the FL to check for continuity?

This is what I'm working from, thanks to HATZIE

[cableguy0]

You can get fusible link wire in short sections with terminals already installed on the end. It would be best to just replace them all especially since your dealing with 50 year old wiring. Its easier to just start over than to try chasing an issue like this. The best course of action would be a new harness if your having issues with stuff falling apart but if you cant do that you would be best to at least go through check and clean all connections and then replace the fuse links. They will fail due to age alone.