How Do I Find A Short?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Summerville SC
How Do I Find A Short?
OK Gurus,
The power locks were not working at all and I was also having issues with window regulators, so I've decided to rebuilt the doors completely…windows, motor, regulator, panels, arm rests…the works. I purchased 2 new lock switches, 2 lock motors and 2 new pigtails.
Installed all new lock components, pigtails, switches and motors. Connected the battery back up and immediately blew a fuse. So…yeah….there is a short….but where? I blew 2 fuses trying to find it. I did discover that with the switches not attached to the pigtails, no short happens. Help me track down the short or what's causing the short. Pigtail wires are butted to corresponding colors with the exception of the driver's side. Pink(original) to light blue (replacement) and Purple (original) to black (replacement)
Ideas?
The power locks were not working at all and I was also having issues with window regulators, so I've decided to rebuilt the doors completely…windows, motor, regulator, panels, arm rests…the works. I purchased 2 new lock switches, 2 lock motors and 2 new pigtails.
Installed all new lock components, pigtails, switches and motors. Connected the battery back up and immediately blew a fuse. So…yeah….there is a short….but where? I blew 2 fuses trying to find it. I did discover that with the switches not attached to the pigtails, no short happens. Help me track down the short or what's causing the short. Pigtail wires are butted to corresponding colors with the exception of the driver's side. Pink(original) to light blue (replacement) and Purple (original) to black (replacement)
Ideas?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 904
Likes: 46
From: Crestline CA
In my experience(not necessarily corvette) most of the problems occur in the wiring conduit between the door and the body where years of opening and closing the door fatigue the wires.
Good Luck, Doug
Good Luck, Doug
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 14
From: Mobile Alabama
OK Gurus,
The power locks were not working at all and I was also having issues with window regulators, so I've decided to rebuilt the doors completely…windows, motor, regulator, panels, arm rests…the works. I purchased 2 new lock switches, 2 lock motors and 2 new pigtails.
Installed all new lock components, pigtails, switches and motors. Connected the battery back up and immediately blew a fuse. So…yeah….there is a short….but where? I blew 2 fuses trying to find it. I did discover that with the switches not attached to the pigtails, no short happens. Help me track down the short or what's causing the short. Pigtail wires are butted to corresponding colors with the exception of the driver's side. Pink(original) to light blue (replacement) and Purple (original) to black (replacement)
Ideas?
The power locks were not working at all and I was also having issues with window regulators, so I've decided to rebuilt the doors completely…windows, motor, regulator, panels, arm rests…the works. I purchased 2 new lock switches, 2 lock motors and 2 new pigtails.
Installed all new lock components, pigtails, switches and motors. Connected the battery back up and immediately blew a fuse. So…yeah….there is a short….but where? I blew 2 fuses trying to find it. I did discover that with the switches not attached to the pigtails, no short happens. Help me track down the short or what's causing the short. Pigtail wires are butted to corresponding colors with the exception of the driver's side. Pink(original) to light blue (replacement) and Purple (original) to black (replacement)
Ideas?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I'm going to take a 'wild stab' at this and mention that the two leads from the window motor are NOT +12vdc and -ground. Those two leads would be the "hot" leads to the motor: one for "UP" and one for "DOWN". The ground has a separate pigtail that runs behind the motor and down to the bottom portion of the door.
If you ran a ground to one of those 'hot' leads, as soon as you tried to run the motor in that direction, it would blow the fuse.
But, that's just a 'wild guess'....
If you ran a ground to one of those 'hot' leads, as soon as you tried to run the motor in that direction, it would blow the fuse.
But, that's just a 'wild guess'....
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 34
From: Porterville Ca
Well, we know it's between the switch and the windows. Connect one switch and see if the fuse blows. Then you'll know which switch it is. There are short testers that go where the fuse goes. You use a inductive tester over the wire and it has a needle that flicks back and forth as the breaker switches on and off, when it stops flickering you've found the short.
You could also use a low amp, maybe 5 amp circuit breaker, and check voltage along the wire. When you stop getting a voltage reading, the short is between your current position and the last place you checked.
You could also use a low amp, maybe 5 amp circuit breaker, and check voltage along the wire. When you stop getting a voltage reading, the short is between your current position and the last place you checked.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 505
Likes: 8
From: Houston Tx.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Summerville SC
Problem solved!!! The 2 new switches I ordered form Davies were crap!!!! China POS!!!! So, I went to autozone and got the generic kind that has no "Lock" and presto! Works Great! Thanks for all the leads! Really helped to hunt down the problem!!!!
Janton
Janton
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