Saturday I attempted to install an instrument regulator in my '63 Valiant to solve the problem of my non functioning fuel gauge, ( see "Early A-Body Instrument Regulators" in the ARTICLES section of this web site). The instrument panel in the article ('63 Dart) is not exactly the same as mine so I tried to apply logic in making the connections. After installation I turned the key on and everything went dead-no ignition, no horn, no lights, etc. I removed the regulator, still nothing. So I'm stuck and this is (was) my only running car. So my question is how do I troubleshoot this problem to get the car started? The regulator has been removed and is no longer part of the equation. Any help would be sincerely appreciated.

Check the basics (and no offense intended- we've all missed some basic things here and there):
Did it do something and then go dead, or did it just do nothing when you turned the key?
If nothing happened, did you remember to reconnect the battery? This has caused some serious headscratching before it was realized. DAMHIK.
Perhaps you disturbed the leads to the ammeter? Are they well connected, and not shorted to anything?
If the car reacted, then went dead, maybe you burned out a fusible link or some such. Find the short (PITA ohmmeter time), then link, and try again.

_________________
"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

Did you have the battery connected when you did all of this?

My first guess is that you blew the fusable link, which is easy to do if you have the battery connected. I know, I have done it.

The fuseable link is on the other side of the firewall, and should be fairly obvious, if blown.

Good luck,

Greg

Yes the battery was connected. But now everything is working. I decided to dive back in to it and when I started taking out the instrument panel frame screws the interior light, which was very dim, suddenly got bright. I turned the key on and it started right up! Maybe it was a ground problem. Thank you for your replies.