87 tercel station wagon

jonnyrock55 · Post by **jonnyrock55** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 1:31 am

i was taking the front spart plug to check it. so i put it back in and when i was taking the socket off the spark plug extendor hit the alternator and caused an arc for a split second and now it wont start, the lights in the dash wont light up the only thing that works is the head lights. i tested all the fuses in the fuse box by the battery, and the one by the clutch pedal inside the car, and even the battery. i was wondering what could be wrong with it.

neonsport · Post by **neonsport** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:59 am

It'll be one of the fusible links in the box under the hood. Should cost a few bucks at AutoZone.

Post by **Petros** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 4:25 pm

That would likely be the yellow one, in a pinch you can wrap it with tin foil, or a chewing gum wrapper and plug it in. The lights will come on and it will start.

It is a like "main" fuse, if it blows it cuts off all electrical power to the car.

I had this happen once when a wire shorted and started an engine fire. After I put the fire out, I separated the wires and wrapped them with electrical tape. No lights, no start. I put a gum wrapper around the prongs of the fuse and it started, I got my kids to school only 10 min. late. Part of the adventure of driving a 24 year old car.

neonsport · Post by **neonsport** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 4:30 pm

The only time I had it happen on mine (my mother-in-law was driving the Tercel, and left the lights on at work) I pulled the fusible link for the a/c and used it instead. Then I drove to AutoZone and picked up a replacement. I keep a spare in the glovebox now.

And that's why I never let anybody else hook up jumper cables to my car.