Hoping one of you smart guys can assist. I have a 98 ss w/21,000 miles on it. Front side impact but ran fine. I beat on the frame about 15 times with a 12 lb sledgehammer to free up the radiator (which was not damaged but nestled in tight) and it worked. When I went to start the car today in prep to move it in the garage to remove the motor/6 speed to transplant in my 68 shortbed p/u, the dash alarm light blinks rapidly and there is a simultaneous ticking noise coming from behind the glove box area. When I turn the key on, nothing happens aside from the check engine light illuminating along with the seatbelt light. If I press on the brakes, attempt to lower the window, etc. it kills everything momentarily. I checked all the fuses near the front end in case one was jarred apart during the sledgehammering but all looked good. I hope that explains my issue. I think I have a ECU problem but I'm hoping not. Now I'll wait and let experience give some input!

 

Bad battery. The shock of the sledge blows probably broke a connection in the battery.

 

Battery is new and was out of the car during this procedure. When I reinstalled and connected it, the drama began? Is there an inline fuse somewhere I could be overlooking? I'm gonna try to fire it up later and see what happens but I know without a doubt the problem is electrical in nature. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

Well Al, I figured I'd rule out the battery just to be sure so I hooked up a battery charger to it and guess what.....everything started working perfectly. It has been charging for a day now so I will do the full check afterwhile without the charger connected. The battery was in my 208 mile Syclone which sits more than it was driven so the charge must have trickled out over time. Wierd part is it had enough juice to start the SS a couple weeks ago. Anyway, thanks for the input. I'll post pics after the transplant is complete .

 

sweet