V1 Benjy's Track Chassis #007 - 10 SS/TC donor

[benjy]

Some 12v troubleshooting I'm pretty new to wiring, and this has me stumped.

Hooked up power for the first time this morning. Gauges all looked normal when I turned the key in accessory and on positions. Tried cranking and heard a loud click. However, after that first attempt, turning the key no longer results in anything, it's as if the batter isn't connected.

Battery is showing ~12.5v, but when I measure at the starter I only get ~3v. Remove the power to the fuse box and I'm back to 12.5v at the starter. I tried narrowing down the issue, and found when I remove the plug with only 4 fuse locations (the white one furthest from the post) from the fuse box, I will get 12.5v at the fuse box post. I believe the only thing this plug is powering is the power steering.

Why would voltage drop when the power steering power is connected at the fuse box?

 

[k.rollin]

Hooked up power for the first time this morning. Gauges all looked normal when I turned the key in accessory and on positions. Tried cranking and heard a loud click. However, after that first attempt, turning the key no longer results in anything, it's as if the batter isn't connected.

Sounds like what I was getting when my fusible link was connected to the wrong starter terminal and I had a bad ground. Single click, then absolutely nothing.

First Start - no crank condition...

You know anyone local that has HP Tuners or has the ability to turn off VATS?

dfkitcar.com

 

[benjy]

Sounds like what I was getting when my fusible link was connected to the wrong starter terminal and I had a bad ground. Single click, then absolutely nothing.

Interesting. Double checked to make sure, and I do have the alternator on the "upper" starter post.

 

[Ross]

Voltage would drop when a heavy load (or direct short) is applied. Maybe you have a short in the power steering. Unplug the power steering motor from the power steering control module, and see if it is just a bad motor.

 

[Lonny]

Check your grounds, sometimes a ground will check good until a load is placed on it.

 

[benjy]

Check your grounds, sometimes a ground will check good until a load is placed on it.

I certainly was not ignorant to the fact that most first no start conditions are a result of a grounding issue. I just had no idea how many ways a bad ground can manifest.

My problem ended up being the block to chassis ground was insufficient.

It sure feels great getting this first start out of the way. Now on to wrapping up stage 2!

 

[Rttoys]

Good job

 

[benjy]

Trying to decide on wheels and tires has probably taken me longer than the wiring harness They're not ordered yet so I welcome any feedback. The intended purpose is primarily fair weather driving. I have also tossed around the idea of participating in Vegas autocross events, but I've never done anything like that before, it sounds like fun?

Wheels
Front:
Konig Freeform 15x7.5 35mm offset lug pattern 4x100 (just have to buy non abs hubs from a base model cobalt, correct?)

Rear:
Konig Freeform 17x8 40mm offset lug pattern 5x114.3 (adapters seem more simple... are they safe? In the offroad world they are frowned on)

Tires
Front:
Falken Azenis RT615K+ 205/50/R15

Rear:
Falken Azenis RT615K+ 255/40/R17

This tire setup would be almost a 2" height and width difference between front and rear.... Is that too much of a spread?

I also got the rear suspension mounted, so I had to throw on the stock wheels/tires to see how it looks. It's been said before, but having not seen a Goblin before, standing next to this thing is CRAZY. It is so tiny, I love it.

 

[JeffsGoblin]

The Freeform is a nice looking wheel! Two things to watch out for: 1) caliper clearance on the 15 inch wheel and 2) front end clearance on a 23.2 inch tire diameter. I plan on staying above 24.5 inches for my front end tires. The stock wheels you have on it now look pretty good! The Dekagram has a 16 inch option if want to go taller on the front and still stay staggered. I've looked at about a thousand wheels over the past year and trying to stay within budget is very hard.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

...and looks even smaller parked next to the 35s(?) on your Jeep!

 

[95Blitz]

Autocross is great fun. This is the location used for the local scca club the course changes for each meet.

 

[Rttoys]

...and looks even smaller parked next to the 35s(?) on your Jeep!

The tire is taller than the goblin.

 

[Rttoys]

Is it wrong to tell you the stock wheels look good?

 

[benjy]

Is it wrong to tell you the stock wheels look good?

I never even considered just using the stock wheels until I put them on this afternoon I think they do look pretty good, the 18s in the front just seem massive

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Once you get brake rotors and calipers inside the wheels they won't look so massive - it's all the void space in there that gives it that appearance.

 

[benjy]

Watching tracking on my Stage 2/3 order has been painful. My deliver date has been pushed back multiple times, but now the status has changed to "trailer is loading." With any luck, most of the parts to finish up this build will be at my house by the end of the week.

Also ordered wheels/tires. I wanted a staggered set, but after @JeffsGoblin mentioned to watch out for ground clearance, I did some measuring and decided I had to stay over 25". I wanted the Konig Freeform more than I wanted staggered, so these are on the way...

 

[benjy]

Also, quick tip for anyone shopping for wheels and tires... I knew I needed 5x114.3, but oftentimes shops/online stores demand to know the vehicle it will be going on. I found the 1994-1998 Ford Mustang GT enabled me to search for wheels/tires in the size range I was looking at.

 

[JeffsGoblin]

Very nice wheel and light too! Are you going with the Freeform 17x9 5x114.3 with a +25mm offset? What tire brand and size?

 

[benjy]

Very nice wheel and light too! Are you going with the Freeform 17x9 5x114.3 with a +25mm offset? What tire brand and size?

I went with the 40mm offset, in case I end up using wheel adapters instead of redrilling the lug pattern.

Tires are Falken Azenis RT615K+ 255/40/R17. I wanted something lower cost before I tried my hand at auto cross and did a bigger commitment to R888's.

 

[JeffsGoblin]

Ah, ok... sounded like you already had the 5x114.3 hubs, but I see what you are doing. That should be a good setup. I might be going with the Falkens too. At $126 a tire, might as well try them for a season and if you don't like them onto something else the following year.