Hi All-
I recently fixed the starter in my 1970... again. The engine bracket that holds the front of the starter constantly came loose. I found the factory bolt that holds the bracket to the engine block was barely bottoming out making it seem all was tight. I was going to add a few washers to take up some length but this was a factory bolt... it should fit! After looking at assembly manual, I found the ground wire coming from the front suspension should be attached to the bracket with a washer and this would prevent the bottoming. Previously, I had it on one of the main starter bolts. Everything was fine until I put the ground cable on the bracket where the AIM states... I now have an issue.

The car starts and runs fine. Radio works as do the lights outside and dash. NOW to the issue... when I opened the door the courtesy lights came on but smoke started coming out from under the dash. I found the driver side door pin switch wire (white) burning up. It heated so much it melted the plastic on the back of the door pin.

The white wire is disconnected now and if I touch it to the metal pin it sparks pretty good and the wire cannot be held b/c it is so hot... The courtesy lights get REALLY bright too. What am I missing here? It was fine when I had it attached to the bottom of the starter bolt. I can move it back to the starter bolt but I am now worried I connected something incorrectly... and where there is smoke... there could be fire! If it was a grounding issue... wouldn't I have other issues? Car wouldn't start or maybe exterior lighting inoperable?

Thanks for any help...

Anthony

 

Sometimes it really pays to take a step back and ask yourself... what did you do now dummy...

I checked the starter wiring and other dash wiring and I thought... the courtesy lights are the only issue... I pulled out the wiring diagram and there it was... in colors... go check it out!

The rear interior courtesy light contacts were touching... I wasn't finished mounting the assembly before I went to fix the starter. The orange and white connectors are supposed to be energizing a bulb... not each other. Evidence was on the white wire where it appears it was getting hot too.

It never ceases to amaze me how I fix one thing and goof two more. I also want to retract my ground cable to starter bracket (engine side). I connected to the starter motor rear bolt as AIM states. I gotta stop working on this car and walking away for weeks... I forget too much. Now where did I put...

 

Anthony,
I know just what you mean. I pulled out my motor 4 years ago meaning to replace it within a few weeks. Well, I am just finishing up now. I made up littlt tags and wrote on them where everything goes. Problem is the ink faded and now I cannot read any of them. Oh well. Good luck.