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Re: Ghost in the machine

To: british-cars@hoosier, noto@twg.com
Subject: Re: Ghost in the machine
From: Teriann J. Wakeman <twakeman@apple.com>
Date: Mon, 4 May 92 16:42:26 -0700
Well, The first places I would look for that kind of a electrical problem
is the batteries and the wire comping from the battery to the point where it
splits into a number of circuits.

First, check to see that your batteries are where they are susposed to be and
that both sides of all connections are tight & clean.  One of those
wires goes between the battery and starter motor.

Next, there is a wire coming off the starter motor that is electrically 
connected to the wire conecting the starter motor to the battery.  Check to
see this connection is tight and you do not have any missing insulation.

While you are down there, check the Al tie straps that bundle the battery
cable, pertol line and wiring harness together.  Over time these have been
known to rub off insulation and cause interesting electrical problems.
These straps are located under the floorboard just back from the starter
motor.

Since you have the car on jackstands and probably have greasy hands,
you might want to take the time out to lube the front suspension, check
the fluid level in the diff, and the condition of your 'U' joints ;*)

>From here it gets hard without a wiring diagram in front of me.

Follow the thick wire up the fire wall from the starter motor. It should go
to either the fuse box or the generator.  I suspect the fuse box.

Clean connections on the fuse box.  make sure they are all tight.  Replace
or wrap any wires with broken insulation.  Run some light sand paper  over the 
parts of the fuse box that come in contact with your fuses.

put a wire with two allogator clips into the car.  If it should ever happen 
again, put one clip on the fuse box connector that has the wire coming up
from the starter (the one connected to the battery cable).  momentarily
touch the other end to an unpainted surface.

A spark means your system is fine to that point.
No spark means that you need to recheck your batteries & all their connections
because something isn't.

If you got a spark, connect the other clip to a connector on the other end of 
the

fuse.  Check to see if you have power.
If power is yes
then you have a bad fuse, bad connections to fuse, or bad wire to fuse box
connection

else
move the clip to the other fuse
if power is yes
then your ignition switch or wiring in between first fuse and second is flakey
else
move clip to other side of second fuse

if power is yes then your second fuse is bad or the connections are flakey
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end trans
TeriAnn


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