electrical issues 77 NY

[toyak]

I found a 1977 Chrysler New Yorker that has a pristine body, dirty but intact interior, 440ci. However the car has
electrical issues, there appears to be no power to the interior, no interior lights, no dash activity, windows, etc. To start the car I have to "short" the
starter relay (and starts w/o an issue). Also interestingly, the car has an electric fuel pump in the engine bay. I am told the previous owner was working on resurrecting the car and
unfortunately passed away. There is no other information available about the car. Any ideas?

 

[CBODY67]

I would not be concerned with the presence of the electric fuel pump. As for it being there, there can be many reasons, including a worm fuel pump pushrod.

As to the other issues, kind of sounds like the main feed to the inside and/or the bulkhead connector might be the real issues. Maybe even the ign switch might be an issue, too? Seems like the Formals had a different place the fuse block was mounted behind the instrument panel itself?

Just some thoughts
CBODY67

 

[Big_John]

First thing to check is the fusible links.

You need to get yourself a Factory Service Manual too. There's a bunch of reasonably priced paper copies on eBay. You'll need the electrical and the chassis books.

Personally, I like the CD versions so I can print out a copy of the electrical diagram and highlight what I'm working on. 1977 Chrysler CD Shop Manual Cordoba Newport New Yorker Dodge Plymouth Service | eBay

 

[toyak]

I would not be concerned with the presence of the electric fuel pump. As for it being there, there can be many reasons, including a worm fuel pump pushrod.

As to the other issues, kind of sounds like the main feed to the inside and/or the bulkhead connector might be the real issues. Maybe even the ign switch might be an issue, too? Seems like the Formals had a different place the fuse block was mounted behind the instrument panel itself?

Just some thoughts
CBODY67

Initially I was wondering about the ignition switch but the door lights don't come on when the door is opened. I am, at best, a mediocre shade tree mechanic. The 1975 MGB I sold last year after several years of dealing with electrical issues (many seeming to be ghosts) after myself and two professionals never found the root causes has me very cautious about making an offer for the car.

 

[CBODY67]

You also realize why many British cars have issues in that area?
"Father of Darkness" haunts many legacy British car manufacturers.

What is your desire for this car? Just curious.

One of my suspicions, all things considered, is that many times, prior owners could not afford to find the Chrysler factory service manuals (and electrical schematics) and sought to fix any issues themselves . . . NOT really knowing what they were doing. Result is that many of their repairs are not good, by observation, as they were different from their last car that had the ign switch on the instrument panel. So the cars get sidelined as a result, for many years, then sold.

I would suspect that chasing the "feed" circuits to the fuse block might be a good place to start.

CBODY67

 

[toyak]

You also realize why many British cars have issues in that area?
"Father of Darkness" haunts many lega

I was very aware of the MG's (and british cars in general) electrical reputation's however, it looked fairly simple to work on, boy was I wrong. I happen to love the 74-78 New Yorker/Imperial look. I have a 76 I bought this winter that has a near perfect interior and runs well after doing a lean burn delete. I have this car in Minnesota where i live several months of the year. The interior of the car is an A+ but the exterior a c with a crease in the right rear quarter panel and numerous paint chips on the hood/trunk with corresponding superficial rust in the chips. I think I can bring the paint back to life but the paint chips are another story and there are many. I tripped over the 77 a couple of weeks ago when I pulled into the wrong driveway (I live in Alaska for more then 1/2 a year). The body is in remarkable condition, not a paint chip, no rust nor is the paint dull. I like the idea of a NY at both places.