Electrical confusion
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 37
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From: Bennington NE
Electrical confusion
OK shes a 75, started up fine this morning then died, tried to restart it and nothing no power. so I searched and looked at various recommendations on what it could be. No luck, wire coming from alternator- tugged on to move it and everything came on for a split second. after that nothing. started checking for splits and touching wires- nothing. Checked continuity at fuses- all good- but they almost all also had continuity to ground, as did alternator wire as did all lights from the front. so to start isolating possible wires with frays I snipped each one from the front harness almost all showed continuity to ground towards the front of vehicle except the brown that leads to side markers and turn signals, that showed continuity to ground towards the fuse block? Havent found any wires that have a split or any signs of bare wires touching. un bolted fuse block to look if something fell and started touching but it looks good inside. So Im totally confused on whats next and what to look for. Nothing loose at consoles tookem off and looked and everything is good there.
Any help would be great!!!!!
Any help would be great!!!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
I'm a little confused by your description. You may have shorted diodes in the alternator that are causing this continuity to ground. Disconnect the output wire on the alternator, and check the wire for 12 volts from the battery. If you have voltage try to crank it. If no voltage, check at the battery. If you have voltage at the battery, and not at the alternator wire, the fusible link in the power wire from the starter to the horn relay may be blown. Report back.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Bennington NE
I'm a little confused by your description. You may have shorted diodes in the alternator that are causing this continuity to ground. Disconnect the output wire on the alternator, and check the wire for 12 volts from the battery. If you have voltage try to crank it. If no voltage, check at the battery. If you have voltage at the battery, and not at the alternator wire, the fusible link in the power wire from the starter to the horn relay may be blown. Report back.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 37
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From: Bennington NE
would that explain why the light wires for upfront show continuity to ground??
Last edited by tonymwc; Aug 14, 2014 at 06:17 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
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From: McHenry Illinois
Any wire in a complete circuit will show some continuity to ground, you're barking up the wrong tree. Look for a bad fusible link, maybe near the firewall plug opposite the fuse block, or near the starter. A fusible link is a short length of wire designed to melt under extreme load without catching fire, it protects the other wires in the circuit.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Bennington NE
Any wire in a complete circuit will show some continuity to ground, you're barking up the wrong tree. Look for a bad fusible link, maybe near the firewall plug opposite the fuse block, or near the starter. A fusible link is a short length of wire designed to melt under extreme load without catching fire, it protects the other wires in the circuit.
After tearing half the front end apart looking for that damn wire that was causing the ground continuity it turned out to a wire that wasn't making full connection in its harness!!! We need a smiley for slapping our own forehead!!!!! just happy I found it!
