As mentioned on a previous post - I was in the process of trying to solve an electrical problem:

1. The front turn signals did not work, everyything else did.

2. I tried replacing the steering column turn signal and that did not solve the problem.

3. When turning on the power (with the green cut-off ****) I heard a pop sound and my engine harness started to fry

4. I was able to get the **** off in @ 1 second or so.

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Here'e the result

1. My car has AC. When manipulating the driver side AC duct and the hood release a flat connector from the capacitor (show in the picture below) was jarred and made contact such that the current to the ammeter (as provided by the B/W wire ) and caused a direct ground of the current in the B/W wire.

This line has power all of the time and is not fused. As a result the wire started to fry at the horn relay and traveled back to the ammeter (trashing the ammeter). I got the power off such that the B/W wire frying did not reach my bulkhead connections. Because of the timely disconnect I was able to salvage the engine harness and the dash harness was not affected. Other than the B/W wire, the engine harness was fine.

This was fixxed with a new ammeter and replacing the B/W wire in the engine harness.

The original problem (turn signals not functioning) was caused by a short in the passenger side parking lamp housing which was replaced.

Back on the road.

Lessons learned:

1. Doesn't take much to really cause a bad problem
2. Electric disconnect devices are a must
3. When doing electric work anticipate problems and always have a fire extinguisher near buy.
4. If this had happened when I had the hood closed and was backing out of the driveway we would have had an ealy July 4th bonfire.

Problems solved by CK auto - run by fellow CF memeber

 

Glad ya solved the problem and prevented things from getting much worse.