I get in my 86 2m4 and turn the ignition to "on" and run the windshield wipers to clear some leaves (wipers worked fine). I turn off the wipers and turn the key to start it and the whole dash goes dead and it does not turn over. No brake or check engine lights are on, interior lights wont turn on, even the radiator fan (which is wired out of the fuse box and is always hot regardless of where the key is) will not turn on (which rules out a problem in my steering column ignition switch, right?) With the key on the on position everything is dead. I checked the battery - it has 12.4 V with the key on "on."

Here is the wierd part- the headlights still work perfectly and are normal brightness....but that is it. Nothing else works at all.

I have already tried jiggling wires at the junction block and the battery cables to no avail. It has relatively new ground cables (cleaned and dielectric grease) and this afternoon I am going to put on a new positive battery cable because it is just old. But the fact that the headlights work rules out some things like that.

Thoughts? I am planning on driving it 3 hrs home Tuesday...

Loose or bad fusible link at the power distribution post.

[This message has been edited by phonedawgz (edited 05-31-2014).]

Thanks for those diagrams,

Later when I get a positive cable it will give me a chance to take that connection apart and make sure it is as it should be. I am not the best at reading those wiring diagrams, but I cannot see an explaination or path that would allow only the headlights, taillights, and dashlights to work.

Cool - Glad to hear you got it fixed!