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Re: Fault finding electrical Problems - AHHH! ?

To: Greg Mahney <mahney@central.murdoch.edu.au>
Subject: Re: Fault finding electrical Problems - AHHH! ?
From: Rick/Carolyn <walters@mail.softcom.net>
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 07:30:22 -0800
Cc: spridgets@Autox.Team.Net
References: <3.0.3.32.19981116122737.00858210@central.murdoch.edu.au>
Reply-to: Rick/Carolyn <walters@mail.softcom.net>
Sender: owner-spridgets@Autox.Team.Net
Hi Greg,

Before you do this, check under the dash.  Sometime it is pretty obvious
as to what is shorting.  I just went through this on the BUG-I.  It
ended up being the dash light on/off switch had come apart and was
laying on the dash live.  Most of the electrical problems I have found
are in the end device, ie. lail lamp, Lic. plt, switch.  Otherwise it
best to proceed with a ohm meter connected between ground.  Note the
reading, move/rattle wire harness, wires, switches to see if it changes
ang start there.  

Good luck, they are easier to fix then find.

Rick

Rick

Greg Mahney wrote:
> 
> I'm looking for people with logical minds and a basic knowledge of
> electrical circuits to suggest how I should tackle the following problem.
> 
> I have a 1963 MK2A Sprite.  The type with just two, 35 Amp fuses.  One does
> the headlights, the other, everything else.
> 
> I was driving to my club's big display day yesterday when I noticed the
> fuel guage reading empty and the indicators not working.
> 
> Pulled over in dangerous position, engine still running, pulled out the
> blown fuse, replaced it with the spare which immediately blew.  Not
> satisfied with that I replaced that one with the other spare - instant
> meltdown of the fuse.
> 
> Got in the car and went where I was going using caution and hand signals.
> 
> After the display I wiggled a few wires under the dash and those connected
> to the fuse box, placed the headlight fuse in the other slot, started up
> and everything worked.
> 
> Bewdy!
> 
> Got half way home and that one blew.
> 
> BTW  this fuse has blown twice before, each incident months apart.
> 
> In summary, I seem to have an intermittent short - right?
> 
> I imagine I have to go around to every circuit and look for signs of
> burning, touching wires, corroded contacts - and then not really know if I
> got it or not.
> 
> Is there a more elegant solution to my problem?  Am I barking up the right
> tree?
> 
> Any suggestions most welcome.
> 
> Greg

-- 
52 MGTD,Sparky    74 MGB, B-tris    76 XJ12 Coupe, Jacque
60 Bugeye, Puddles      58 MGA Coupe, Ruby
http://www.softcom.net/users/walters
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