Electrical Problem
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Electrical Problem
Just installed new heat sheild and sound dampener material. Took the center gauge console out. Took the shifter console out, radio, etc. The original radio was not connected. Put everything back the way I thought it was...went to connect the battery and got a large arch(not the usual tiny arch when connecting batteries). Knew something was wroung and stopped at that point. Are there any ground wires to the heater control unit? Is there a ground coming off of the center gauge console? Any info would help tremendously. By the way...1970 , 454, 4-spd...convertible, with A/C.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Your looking for a hot wire that has found ground if that is causing the problem.You sure you dont just have something turned on?You might want to remove all your fuses and put them back in one by one until you find the archer.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Canastota Ny
I MYSELF JUST FINISHED MY CENTER GAUGE CLUSTER TOO. when i put it back together the GEN light was on and wouldnt go out. come to find out the tabs that slip in between the connector when put back together slipped to one side cause them to gound out and leave the light on. your problem could be similar only with a different part of that connector. i would suggest looking behind the gauge cluster leaving it all out and connected then hooking up the battery and make sure it works before assembling it again.
there really isnt too many things under the shift console that it could be.
note-- did you connect the original radio back again? that would be the problem. black plug goes on top! and maybe the radio had a short to begin with thats why it wasnt hooked up.
there really isnt too many things under the shift console that it could be.
note-- did you connect the original radio back again? that would be the problem. black plug goes on top! and maybe the radio had a short to begin with thats why it wasnt hooked up.
Last edited by 1nicecorvette; Aug 27, 2008 at 02:36 PM. Reason: because i can...
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I did have my heater fan on...turned it off and hooked up battery with no sparking...depressed the clutch and the motor turned over...switch was off.
What could be linked to the switch? Could it be the wiper switch?
What could be linked to the switch? Could it be the wiper switch?
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Did you do any thing with the wiring at the starter? The purple wire that fires the starter originates at the ignition switch and goes through the clutch switch.I'm pretty sure the purple also runs over and through the console for an automatic car.The purple would have to be hot all the time if the clutch switch causes the starter to turn.Did you change wires on the ign. switch or move the switch on the column?
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Did you do any thing with the wiring at the starter? The purple wire that fires the starter originates at the ignition switch and goes through the clutch switch.I'm pretty sure the purple also runs over and through the console for an automatic car.The purple would have to be hot all the time if the clutch switch causes the starter to turn.Did you change wires on the ign. switch or move the switch on the column?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Dayton, Ohio
edit -the large purple wire is picking power from somewhere.Start looking at it.As I said before I think it has a connector in the console so a neutral safety switch can be added.If this connector came apart and you plugged one end in to a hot lead this would cause the starter to turn as soon as you step on the clutch.
Last edited by ...Roger...; Aug 29, 2008 at 12:09 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
The wiper switch connector CAN be reversed. It won't cause a short in anything, but the wiper will not function correctly. I don't know of any other connectors in the bezel/console area that can be mis-oriented. To me, it sounds like a power wire got 'pinched' against a grounded piece of metal created a short.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Canastota Ny
the radio plugs -- if stock will not go in backwards without a ton of force. just a far out idea but i almost hooked my battery cables up backwards by looking at the cable color alone and not the plugs. there is no chance you are doing that is there?