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Re: serious electrical problems/help

To: jphillips@cvalley.net, mgs@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: serious electrical problems/help
From: Ajhsys@aol.com
Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2001 10:14:51 EST
In a message dated 3/4/01 6:16:54 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
jphillips@cvalley.net writes:


> I took the 79 mgb out for a spin today it has a lot of electrical
> issue's.These include non working guages,cheap headlight switch in non
> stock location,several loose wires,fan wired direct to work,various
> splices all over the loom,and the real big kicker was as i was putting
> it away smoke began rolling out from under the dash definately smelled
> like wire burning.So the question is where do i go from here,try and
> find/repair all the damaged items or replace loom?Any help appreciated
> 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Well, it's too late if you already let the smoke out of the wiring harness.  
AFAIK, they don't make replacement smoke anymore.  :-)

First, get a Bentley manual for the car.  Then, find the correct wiring 
diagram and make an enlarged photocopy of it.  Actually, make about 10 copies 
whilst you are at the copy machine.  Most good copiers will easily enlarge 
the diagram to 11"X17".

Work on a single circuit at a time.  Use a hilighter to mark all the wires 
for a circuit on one of the copies.  This will keep your eyes from crossing.  
Trace the wires in the car by color code in each circuit to make sure they 
exist, and are not cut, plugged into the wrong place, stripped and shorting, 
or corroded at the connectors.  Remove any non-original tape or connectors 
that you find, because problems WILL lurk inside.

This is not a fun task, and you will get your body into positions you never 
thought possible, but you will be glad you did it in the end.  If you replace 
any wires, PLEASE use the correct gauge wire, the correct terminals, and try 
to use the correct color coding.  You can order wire, connectors, (or a 
complete wiring harness) from British Wiring.  (I think that's the name.  
Someone else will probably list a link or phone number for them.)

Good luck.  And don't let the smoke get in your eyes.

Allen Hefner
SCCA Philly Region Rally Steward
'77 Midget
'92 Mitsubishi Expo LRV Sport

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