I wsa cruising along a few days ago, turned on the electric fans (dash mounted switch to control them), and POOF, the entire system went dead. No juice to anything. I figured it was a direct ground somewhere. I had had some electrical issues in the not-to-distant past (melted a few in the headlight harness, etc) and pieced things back together. i just figured it had finally caught up with me.

I proceeded to rip (quiote litterally) the headlight harness out since that was where the meltdown occured (on the firewall side of the harness). I had a hell of a time getting the harness out where the headlights attached. Anyway, I found what looks to have been the problem (a couple of melted spots maybe grounding out). I ordered a new harness. I did not see any issues with the ignition harness under the hood, so i just pulled it off, checked the wiring and plugged it back in.

I also removed the dash cluster to check everything in there and clean up some of my add-ons (gauges, etc). I got all that cleaned up and everything looks good. I even added a fuse block for my ignition side accessories.

Everything is still apart, but I figured I'd give it a shot. I turn the key and the starter cranks but won't start. I put my meter on the coil and while it's cranking, I barely show 1 volt or so (on either the + or - side of the coil...which should I be checking and what voltage should I see there?). It's possible that the harness plug for the ignition harness is not seated completely I guess, but the solenoid is getting juice. I checked the ignition switch as well, and the ignition post is getting juice when the key is on start. The loss is somewhere between the ignition switch and the coil (right?).

I don't have my wiring manual yet (coming with the harness), so can someone please either post a diagram of the ignition circuit or point me to the right terminals in the harness plug? What wire carries the current from the ignition switch to the coil? I don't know if it matters, but I have an after market high-torque starter and an MSD coil and dizzie. The dizzie and coil are connected via the MSD harness.

Thanks tons all!

I'm not sure what your problem is but here is a link to previous discussion regarding what terminal is for ignition:

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102147

Here's a diagram for the 65...or one close enough.

http://www.tocmp.com/tOCMP/wiring/5765wiring%20diagrams/chevroletindex.htm

Would I use the '64 Chevelle or the '65 Chevy II or the 65 Biscayne, Bel Air, Impala?Question: I've got an MSD dizzie and MSD coil in it. Are there any differences in how the wiring would run? From the ignition terminal on the ignition switch, I should get 12V at the + on the coil with the key in the ON position, right? I'm having trouble decyphering the drawing :clonk:

The 64 and 65 Chevelle schematics are close to each other. If you still have the original resistor wire installed to the coil expect around 9 volts.