This afternoon I saw a 1980 MGB in a parking lot. Its owner was busily
applying bright yellow dry-chem fire extinguisher powder to the alternator
and wiring harness. Once he disconnected a battery cable, smoke cleared and
he had a moment to talk. Apparently he changed the oil oil and filter in
the NAPA parking lot , after which he attempted to
start the engine. It appeared to me that the connector to the
alternator had become loose, as copper wire was in contact with the
recently-shiny NAPA oil filter. It looks like the large wires (10 or 12
ga) to alternator and starter are burned as far as they are visible, and
some smaller ones are burned and melted together too. He made
arrangements to have the car taken home on a flatbed and I gave him a lift
home in my truck.
The owner just bought the car a week ago. It has been unused for four or
five years. He has a Haynes and a Moss catalogue, but no toolkit and no
previous MG experience. I suggested he get a red-cover Bentley manual
immediately, and start attempting to discover the extent of the wiring mess.
Is the entire harness likely to be destined for copper recycling now?
What can we compile as a page of advice for the poor fellow?
Bob
Guilford CT
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Not sure what he will have to replace, I guess it depends on how long he let
the battery short to ground.
Best advise I can give is to tell him to join the local club and get to know
the folks, quickly. Or else find a good repair shop (bet the local club
would know where) and open his wallet.
You're in CT, you've got lots of support from some very knowledgeable
people.
Oh, and make sure he subscribes to the MGS list.
Good luck to him.
Safety Fast!
Gordie Bird
'62 MGA
'67 MGBGT
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