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DadOfTwo 03-31-2015 06:40 PM

I think I found my electrical problem
 

1 Attachment(s)
Isn't there supposed to be a terminal block here somewhere?

TinCup 03-31-2015 06:42 PM

Re: I think I found my electrical problem
 

Well it helps. Wow 25 cent fuse would have helped here.

Jwilli 03-31-2015 06:49 PM

Re: I think I found my electrical problem
 

Lucky that the car didn't burn up.

DadOfTwo 03-31-2015 06:56 PM

Re: I think I found my electrical problem
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinCup (Post 1060853)
Well it helps. Wow 25 cent fuse would have helped here.

I'm a big fan of fuses. ;)

Bob C 03-31-2015 07:16 PM

Re: I think I found my electrical problem
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by DadOfTwo (Post 1060850)
Isn't there supposed to be a terminal block here somewhere?

Isn't that it on top of the head :eek::D

Bob

mshmodela 03-31-2015 07:22 PM

Re: I think I found my electrical problem
 

Yeah, time to toss the wire out and start from scratch...

DadOfTwo 03-31-2015 07:25 PM

Re: I think I found my electrical problem
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C (Post 1060881)
Isn't that it on top of the head :eek::D

Bob

Actually, it's busy freezing up the throttle crossover linkage thingy. What's the proper name?

Tom Wesenberg 03-31-2015 07:30 PM

Re: I think I found my electrical problem
 

The year I tought auto mechanics at the Vo-Tec one of the other teachers told the students to put a nail in the fuse box to find the short. Not to smart to burn up wires to find a short. It can be easily done using a flasher and compass. Replace the fuse with a flasher and light bulb, or resistor, then run the compass along the wire harness. The pulse of current will make the compass needle move. Once you go past the short, the current won't be flowing and the compass won't move.

DadOfTwo 03-31-2015 08:49 PM

Re: I think I found my electrical problem
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mshmodela (Post 1060890)
Yeah, time to toss the wire out and start from scratch...

Yeah, and I keep thinking "since I have to start over any way..."

bobusnick104 04-01-2015 08:59 AM

Re: I think I found my electrical problem
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg (Post 1060896)
The year I tought auto mechanics at the Vo-Tec one of the other teachers told the students to put a nail in the fuse box to find the short. Not to smart to burn up wires to find a short. It can be easily done using a flasher and compass. Replace the fuse with a flasher and light bulb, or resistor, then run the compass along the wire harness. The pulse of current will make the compass needle move. Once you go past the short, the current won't be flowing and the compass won't move.

When I read something from Tom Wesenberg, I know I'm going to learn something. On behalf of all the Barners like myself, Thanks.

MrBruce 04-01-2015 10:52 AM

Re: I think I found my electrical problem
 

Looks like time to re-wire and freshen it up a bit. Lucky it didn't do more damage.

1930artdeco 04-01-2015 11:00 AM

Re: I think I found my electrical problem
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg (Post 1060896)
The year I tought auto mechanics at the Vo-Tec one of the other teachers told the students to put a nail in the fuse box to find the short. Not to smart to burn up wires to find a short. It can be easily done using a flasher and compass. Replace the fuse with a flasher and light bulb, or resistor, then run the compass along the wire harness. The pulse of current will make the compass needle move. Once you go past the short, the current won't be flowing and the compass won't move.

Hi Tom,

For us electrically impaired folks could you post a picture of the 'flasher and light bulb'.

Thanks,

Mike

Mitch//pa 04-01-2015 11:25 AM

Re: I think I found my electrical problem
 

1 Attachment(s)
here is my fancy setup:o

burner31 04-02-2015 08:51 PM

Re: I think I found my electrical problem
 

Holy guacamole
Damn near fried your ride
I agree with the fuse...INSTALL ONE

daveymc29 04-02-2015 09:06 PM

Re: I think I found my electrical problem
 

Or spend a bit more and put in a circuit breaker I have been known to create a short and pop a fuse so the circuit breaker saves me going to the store for another box of fuses and also from little side trips to the parts vendors for parts like what you will now require, though it is not stock so a real purist wouldn't like it with a fuse in the system.

jax55 04-02-2015 11:49 PM

Re: I think I found my electrical problem
 

I started with a circuit breaker worked great while I sorted out my electrical system.
Then first time I drove the car it quit due to the breaker failing. Bought another to replace it , it was bad right out of the box. I am going back to fuses. and will put together a flasher for short circuit testing.

Mike V. Florida 04-03-2015 12:36 AM

Re: I think I found my electrical problem
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1930artdeco (Post 1061183)
Hi Tom,

For us electrically impaired folks could you post a picture of the 'flasher and light bulb'.

Thanks,

Mike

It's just a flasher in line with a bulb. The reason for the bulb is so it will light in case of a dead short saving the wiring.

A cheap compass will work easier then an expensive liquid filled unit.

Tom Wesenberg 04-03-2015 08:09 AM

Re: I think I found my electrical problem
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1930artdeco (Post 1061183)
Hi Tom,

For us electrically impaired folks could you post a picture of the 'flasher and light bulb'.

Thanks,

Mike

The bulb is to keep the full current of a dead short from going through the flasher contacts. Use a headlight bulb or brake light bulb to give enough amps to make the compass needle deflect. Just wire the bulb in series with a 2 prong flasher and clip it to the fuse holder contacts. In place of the bulb you could use a 1 to 1 1/2 ohm resistor rated at 50 watts. These can be bought on ebay for about $4.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-50W-Alumin...item3ce3484c4b

DadOfTwo 04-03-2015 10:23 AM

Re: I think I found my electrical problem
 

Thanks for the comments and suggestions!

Definitely going to incorporate a fuse.

On that note, I've got a lot of rewiring to do. Lots of shody electrical splicing done over the years. Plus going to add a second tail light, turn signals, and probably go 12v.

Since I need all new harnesses, I'm weighing the idea of a modern style wiring harness with a hidden but accessible muti-fuse block.

Anyone done it, or seen it done?

Mike V. Florida 04-03-2015 10:52 PM

Re: I think I found my electrical problem
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by DadOfTwo (Post 1062278)
Thanks for the comments and suggestions!

Definitely going to incorporate a fuse.

On that note, I've got a lot of rewiring to do. Lots of shody electrical splicing done over the years. Plus going to add a second tail light, turn signals, and probably go 12v.

Since I need all new harnesses, I'm weighing the idea of a modern style wiring harness with a hidden but accessible muti-fuse block.

Anyone done it, or seen it done?

Yea, Hot Rodders do it all the time, modern looking wire and fuse block.

Why the decision to go to 12 volts?

If your heart is set on the hidden fuse block route, may I suggest that you look into using the original style wire that is available from the vendors, using that style and wire in the fuse block.

It's your car to do with as you please.


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