Went out to start the car this am and nothing no lights, radio, brake lights. The only thing I have is the horn. Car won't turn over nothing. The radio, wipers worked yesterday but now nothing. Can you guys give me a place to start looking for the problem? The car is positive ground right? Will check the grounds tomorrow. I checked the fuses and they all look good. I'm so pissed but the car is 46 years old so I know there are going to be problems. Pleeeease help.

Roger

 

Well, for one a car 46 yrs old, you should not be mad at. It need some TLC to keep them old hoots running. Sounds to me like you have a short and that can be anywhere in the wiring system. Can you jump start the car? If so test the Generator or Alt which ever one is on the car to see if your getting a volts for a charge. Check the old Regulator if you have a Generator, those are known to go bad and check the Regualtor in the Alt also. More then likely built in the Alt, take either one to Auto Zone they will do a check for free.
Next check the starter, it might be shorting out, another common thing for those older cars, again take it to Auto Zone for a check.
I had an old chevy pick up once that would just stop running (ANYWHERE it felt like it) I thought it was a vapor lock. So one time I had the wife fire it up and I'm starring at it, saying come on tell me whats wrong (You know engines don't talk back) well, I started shaking wires and lord and behold it die when I shook these certain wires. So now my job was to find out which wire(s) it was. So one by one I took them apart (Wrap in tape) until I found the wire (1 thank goodness) that made the truck die. I cut out a large part of the wire and put some new wire in and no more problems.
It could be any number of things that are drainning your battery, speaking of battery's how is that one? Has it been tested? Again Auto Zone (And no I don't work for them..hahahaha).
I have found inside lights to have shorts (pull the fuse) no more short, but no more inside lights, its a temp fix to get you going.

It could be your ground strap on the engine...its all a matter of testing and more testing..I wish you luck with that 409, Nothing can beat her my 409, 409..yea!!!