64 Bonneville ignition relay/fuse

6

64Bonneville

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I have a mysterious problem with my 64 Bonneville. It wont start. It happened suddenly and unexpectedly a few days ago. I drive it daily 7 miles to work. Nothing happens when you turn the key on. No head tail or dash lights come on. The battery is good and so are the cables. The starter/ solinoid is new and has been working good. I've checked for shorts by connecting the positive cable first, then seeing if there is any spark when connecting the negative, and there was none. There is a relay/junction block on the drivers fenderwell that has a post terminal that connects the battery positive, the starter solinoid, the ignition switch, the dash lights, and a capacitor. It also has a copper, "Littel Fuse" and two clips, for what seems to be the horn relay. The copper fuse seems have the insulation burnt off. My horn has never worked. Can this relay/junction block prevent the car from starting if the fuse is burnt? I took apart and cleaned the terminal, clips and the fuse. What is significant is that no lights or electrical items work at all: with the ignition key on or off. Earlier the starter solinoid did barely click and the dash cold light came on a couple times, but it was randomly. Now nothing comes on at all. If it could possibly be a bad starter/solinoid, neutral safety switch, ignition switch, lock tumbler or blown fuse, the head lights and dash lights should still come on shouldn't they? Is anyone familiar with this problem or know how I can determine exactly what is bad or loose? If the relay/junction block is also the horn relay; will replacing it solve my problem? And where can I find one or a replacement part. I've searched everywhere for one that fits a 64 Bonneville and has a terminal post for the battery/solinoid/ignition without any sucess.
 
How did you determine the battery is good? Did you check the negative cable connection where it attaches to the block?
 
64 Bonneville ignition problems

The new battery was tested and I checked it out by putting it in another vehicle, and it statrted. All day Monday I spent on the phone trying to locate anyone who would be familiar with the year, make and problem with my Bonneville. No sucess. I then spent hours on the phone trying to locate an ignition switch, and a horn relay. Only Carquest could order an ignition switch; and both Ames and Performance Years had a GTO horn relay that "might" work. Around 3:30 my boss showed up for his shift at the airport where we work. He is also an experienced aircraft mechanic. We loked at it together and he noticed that when he crossed the positive cable to the negative post on the battery, that there was indeed a good spark. We both had checked the continuity of both positive and negative cables. They were good. The connections "looked" good also. However, when he crossed the positive cable to the negative ground connection on the block, there was absolutely no spark! Bingo! Source of problem! We cut and replaced the terminals of the cable; cleaned the block frame/ ground and the negative post ground to the block. I had given my wife the horn relay, to see if she could find a compatable one at Carquest if she went to town to order the ignition switch. We bolted together the battery positive, purple solinoid, red 10 guage ignition, and headlight terminals; then wrapped them temporarily with electric tape. Problem solved. 64 Bonneville back in service.
Looks like you diagnosed it just right, "melsg5"!

Thanks, Dave
 
Thats a typical no start issue with cars as they get to the age of yours. Glad you found the issue and keep an oldie on the road.
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1964 Pontiac Horn Relay

The 1964 Pontiac Horn Relay is a one-year only (just 1964 Pontiac) -- I have 1 last N.O.S. == new == and am in the process of reproducing it....
the reproduction may take a while --- I'm always looking for N.O.S. in the meanwhile -- and have exactly 1 presently..........

Best to call me -- new to the computer -- brand new to this website --

Craig -- 516 - 485 - 1935....new York.....:):)
 
Horn relay

Rock Auto has horn relays if you still need one. I haven't tried them yet. Googling "horn relay 1964 Pontiac Bonneville" will provide several other suppliers.
 
1958 - 1963 & 1964 pontiac horn relays

If you look at the picture of the Horn Relays offered by rock auto for the 1958 - 1963 & 1964 Pontiacs, you will see that they are VERY VERY wrong.
Rock auto has so many catalog errors, it is filthy..... they are a computer chat room linked with some automotive companies -- they do not have a single auto part in stock.... and they can't wave a magic wand and get parts that are OBSOLETE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you need these relays, I HAVE the correct ones in stock.....
Craig -- 516 - 485 - 1935 ..... New York....:):)
 
Just wanted to point out the initial post is from 2011!
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melsg5 said:
Thats a typical no start issue with cars as they get to the age of yours. Glad you found the issue and keep an oldie on the road.
Click to expand...

So the issue was simply a bad connection between the neg. cable and the engine block?
 
That is correct!
 
That's a common no big problem with vehicles as they get to the age of yours. Grateful you discovered the problem and keep an oldie on the street . . . . . . . . .
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