<VV> electrical assistance!!!

[Roger Gault]

Steve,
Assuming the "power lead" is the red wire, I suspect that your clutch cable
has found a way to cut into the harness inside the tunnel and short it to
ground.  Been there.  In my case, a major fire in the tunnel - saved by a
bystander.  Now I carry a fire extinguisher.

If you don't have a standard, I don't have a clue.

By the way, a 15 ohm short won't make the wire glow, or burn the
insulation - only draws 1.25 amps.  You've got something intermittant.

Roger


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "STEVE BURNS" <A65CORVAIR at COMCAST.NET>
To: <VirtualVairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Monday, March 27, 2006 9:54 PM
Subject: <VV> electrical assistance!!!


> I am not especially good with the electrical systems in general, so I am
> reaching out to the collective for some help. After a long winter's nap
> I found I had failed to disconnect my battery and needed to jump start
> the old girl. She started up and I took her out for a 20 minute drive to
> check out some of my winter improvements to the brakes and steering.
> Upon reaching my destination I parked, did my business and upon my
> return the battery was dead. I hooked up for another jump start, but
> noticed a little more arc on connecting than usual. I could hear the
> running car load down a bit as I walked to try starting the Vair. I
> turned the key and once again barely got the Alt lamp to turn on and had
> no response from the starter. Thinking I had a bad connection I turned
> to check the cables to see a large cloud of smoke coming from the engine
> compartment. I quickly disconnected the jumper cables ( yes they were
> correctly hooked up )and saw that the power cable going to the firewall
> connector was red hot and had melted the plastic off the cable. I
> flatbedded the car home, had the battery and alternator checked ( both
> ok ). I put an ohm meter from the firewall power lead to ground and
> found a 15 ohm resistance, not a full short, but still a significant
> drain. I next disconnected the bulkhead connector to the chassis wiring
> harness and the "drain" disappeared. I did ohm out the chassis bulkhead
> connector pins and can supply readouts if needed. Any thoughts on where
> I should go from here?  Please!
>
>
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