No power with battery connected

[nate2021]

Hi y'all. I recently obtained my delorean that hasn't run since 2014ish and I'm in the process of getting it running. I know I have a long list, but the first thing I decided to check was to see if there was even power to the car, which there isn't. Below is what I have done so far;

Connected a new batter. No power
Checked fuse #7 with a test lamp and no light.
Checked the battery to make sure the battery is good and it tests good.
I was thinking it was a grounding issue (since the whole no power issue) however, when I shot the grounding wire to the battery, it shot good.
Shot the positive to make sure there wasn't a disconnect somewhere. Shot between the battery terminal and the jump terminal in the engine bay (only place I could reach by myself) and it shot good as well.


Is there any other obvious places I should check before going deeper into the wiring?

Appreciate the help!

[Bitsyncmaster]

Common bad connection behind the wood panel under the rear window. There are two feed through bolts. One for battery + and one for battery -. Pull the wood panel and verify those bolts are tight (disconnect battery first).

[DMC-Ron]

After you check the feed through bolts as Dave suggests, reconnect the battery make sure the connector cables, both positive and ground, make good contact. Positive battery cable goes to the starter so check connection there, then the Positive continues to the alternator where there are several connections that you can check. Check all the ground connections at the bulkhead bolt. Interior lights, engine bay light, door lights, glovebox light, horn, hazard switch, and cigarette lighter are things that should have power without the ignition key on (but their fuses need to be good).

Ron

[David T]

One way would be to check at different points to see where the flow of electric stops. Could be the ground side or the positive side. Start with the ground side and make sure the battery is securely and positively (the negative side of course!) connected to the frame. Check the connections on the battery to be sure they are clean and shiny. All you need is a test light. A test light is a probe that looks like an icepick with a bulb inside that has a long wire with a clip on the end. Really simple but it will light up when you put 12 volts DC across it. You put the clip on the ground (negative side) and probe along away from the battery until you find the point at which the electric doesn't go anymore.

[Helirich]

My first question is what is your definition of "no power"? Are you saying it won't crank or no lights will turn on?

[nate2021]

Thanks everyone for the grounding locations and pointers.
It turned out to be a combination of a bad fuse and operator error with a test light (bad ground). I tried again this morning and have moved fuses around and I have door lights and the #7 fuse is hot, so I know power is getting to the fuse box. Still need to chase some other issues (engine bay won't light up, buzzer won't sound, interior lights won't come on) but I have a starting point.

[WHO1DMC]

Thanks everyone for the grounding locations and pointers.
It turned out to be a combination of a bad fuse and operator error with a test light (bad ground). I tried again this morning and have moved fuses around and I have door lights and the #7 fuse is hot, so I know power is getting to the fuse box. Still need to chase some other issues (engine bay won't light up, buzzer won't sound, interior lights won't come on) but I have a starting point.

It is very common for the interior door lights and buzzer to be disconnected at the switches so that's what I would check first. You can check the engine bay light switch at the fire wall or the light can be burnt out or corroded they are very susceptible to the elements.

Dave B.

[Helirich]

It is very common for the interior door lights and buzzer to be disconnected at the switches so that's what I would check first. You can check the engine bay light switch at the fire wall or the light can be burnt out or corroded they are very susceptible to the elements.

Dave B.

This!

Mine were all defeated. I assume to save the battery. Good thing because I've had the engine cover open for a month now. Lol.