Car won't start, or crank, NO POWER. 7MGTE

[SaucyTuRkLeBiRd]

Hey People,
So after spending a while writing this post the computer decided to crap itself and delete everything I wrote (sigh)
But anyway, I guess I'll have to write it all again, so as title states, basically my car won't work. Here's what happened:

So, I own a Z20 Soarer auto with a 7mgte, and long story short, after it sitting since December I decided to get it up and running once again to be registered.

Before Starting I pulled the EFI fuse and cranked the engine to get some oil flowing, then replaced the fuse and attempted to start the car.
After a few hiccups she started, no funny noises, or smells, and really smooth.

So after running the engine for a little while I turned it off as I needed to do something elsewhere. BARELY A MINUTE later I go to start the car again and whats this? NO POWER.

Things that ARE getting power:
Horn.
Headlights, including Highbeams.
Hazards.

Things that AREN'T working
Digital dash is dark (Apart from the indicator arrows and the light for the doors)
Windows, sunroof, seats, etc.
I can't hear the fuel pump
And the engine doesn't crank.

I have checked all fuses in the engine bay, and checked lots of the plugs in the engine bay also. All good. Car has fresh fuell also.
I Haven't tried to check for codes as the engine light doesn't work anyway...

I LITERALLY had it running LESS THAN A MINUTE before all this happened and it ran normal. I didn't touch anything in between, no Idea what's going on!
If anyone could give me some advice on what's going on, it would be greatly appreciated, I might add that electrics aren't my strong side.
Thanks! - Dan

[jondee86]

I'll take a punt in the dark on this one... if you have fusible links sitting
in little plastic boxes on the back of the battery positive terminal, check
them for continuity. You should have 12V downstream of each fusible
link. If not replace the link and cross your fingers

Cheers... jondee86

[ctrain]

start with the simple things, check the battery, then fuses and relays, chuck it on ignition and check the starter motor positive cable and see if it has power, if so get someone to try and crank it while you check to see if theres power to the exciter wire on the starter motor, if not it could be fusible link, ignition relay or a fuse, if there is power that starter motor is cactus.

[SaucyTuRkLeBiRd]

Thanks for the replies guys, really appreciate It. I'll try as many things as I can, and hopefully get some good results cheers,

Dan

[wa5]

Try cleaning your battery terminals.

[SaucyTuRkLeBiRd]

Hey People I found the problem, just as well I video'd the first startup. Because watching my start up video I saw the alternator sparking. It sparked twice and the second time a spark came from the fuse on the positive terminal at the same time. It blew just as the car fired up and I heard the starter motor loose power in the video as the engine started. Just by coincidence that the car started as it blew. So turns out my fuel pump was working after all, cuz the car ran. Turns out that part of the alternator wasn't hooked up properly. And that caused the blow out.

Anyway thanks for the info and help people, appreciate it

Dan

[jondee86]

Good catch The fusible links are usually the last place anyone looks, but if a whole bunch of electrical stuff stops functioning all at once, it is a good place to start.

Cheers... jondee86

[SaucyTuRkLeBiRd]

Yeah thankyou . I actually checked them the first time but they were a little foggy, and looked like they were still good lol.
Shined a torch on them the next day and noticed the middle (120A) one was blown.
Car runs sweet now, rego and all that. Apart from a coolant leak that it didn't have in December

Oh well, haha I'll fix it when I get some free time Cheers, Dan.