I was installing new gauges in my cluster on my'76 when the trans oil temp gauge shorted out when I grounded it against the gauge mount.
Blew a fuse - no big deal. Replaced the fuse and I by mistake grounded out again. Something shorted out but this time it wasn't the fuse. Now I have no power windows , no tach, and no gauges. What I need to know is , where is the power supply come from to the fuse panel BEFORE the power gets to the fuses. If I can get some juice to the fuses, I bet everything will work. Any thoughts?

 

I think its the Fuseable link coming off the starter.

 

as a note once you find the short and fix it..B4 doing anything electrical, disconnect the battery..jim

 

Why would anyone be working on an electrical system without disconnecting the battery first?

 

OOOPS...I do it many times....I need to have the system powered up so I can find the problem...and verify my repair.

And if it is not a critical circuit..I can repair it with the pwoer still going through the system. Because many times the circuit requires the ignition key to be on in order to have power.

But if it is a fusible link at the starter...YES....I disconnect the battery.

DUB

 

I might need to power up a circuit I've been working on...but I don't have power on WHEN I'm working on it. That's a catastrophe waiting to happen.

If you were working on a hydraulic circuit, would you work on it with high pressure pump still operating? Not much difference, IMO....

 

I politely agree and disagree.

I clearly use my common sense. If I am working on constant hot wire that is near metal that can ground out on that metal. I do disconnect the negative battery cable.

If the circuit can only have power on it when the ignition is on. What is the point., The circuit is dead if the key is off. Kinda like working on the windshield wiper circuit.

Fluids under high pressure are not the same. In my opinion. I can not grasp that example. When a high pressure fluid is released....it is just that... and that pressure release can cause damage. BUT..a 12 volt hot wire that is hanging out in the air and not touching any metal to ground it can not do any harm. And if the repairs are made and the hot wire does not touch a ground...the repairs can be accomplished.

Case in point: I have repaired damaged and cut into wires at the ignition switch at the steering column. And with the connectors hanging down in the air and not able to touch any metal I can work comfortably with no worries.

I guess for safety sake...remove the negative cable.

DUB