..and I don't know what it is. I've recently removed my engine in my '55 bug to replace a front gearbox mount with a urethane bush. The grounding strap was bolted back onto the stud that comes out of the chassis, though it was a bit of a stretch.

I've replaced all the other wiring to the engine and I haven't made any mods to the wiring. I've checked that no bare terminals are touching any tinware etc. I didn't remove the starter motor or touch any of the wiring to it when I removed the engine. When I turn the key to the 'acc' position, the main fuse (16A) blows after about 3 seconds. On the multimeter, the current reads off the scale. I've never blown a fuse until now. A 55 bug has only 4 fuses.

(a) Could the possibility of a poor ground from the gearbox-to-chassis strap cause the fuse to blow (in my mind, higly unlikely)?

(b) Does anyone have any suggestions of where or how to start the process of elimination to figuring out what is sorting out?

(c) The wire from the dizzy's condensor goes to the negative terminal on the coil right? (The other two wires on the other terminal go to the auto choke and to the fuse box)


Please help! I'm getting desperate:cry

[ Edited on 3-3-06 by oval TOFU ]

Ground strap will have nothing to do with it

Yes the condenser goes to the -ve. The +ve is power, choke and solenoid cut off.

All's i can suggest is disconnect as many "power" wires as you can see. If it blows with them disconnected then it HAS to be caught on a bit of tin somewhere


Do you have a reversing light??

they are switched power

I don't have a reversing light (hooked up anyways..) I'll see what happens when i pull all the 'power' wires off and let ya know..

Mean while, don't be shy with other suggestions people!

I'd start looking at how u wired the voltage regulator back. Is there an earth wire that u mistakenly put on a hot terminal?
Diagnosis? It may be crude rude & vulgar but I disconnect wires, switch on, then touch/flick them where they are meant to go one at a time & watch for big-time sparks indicating a heavy current in that particular circuit.

Chris you sure you havent trapped a wire between something metal?? What about the oil light wire?? You havent got this one and the positive from the ignition mixed up.
Thats all I can think of?? If you had the negative wire grounded (from the distrubutor) the only thing that would happen is the the motor wouldnt start. Not blow the fuse.

ah they joys of electrical faults. it definitely sounds like you have a partial shorted wire somewhere, and most likely in the engine bay if that's where you have been fiddling.
can only suggest as above... disconnect things from the fuse that blows and reconnect one at a time to figure out what is blowing the fuse.
good luck

It's not a poor gearbox-to-chassis ground strap, that would mean less current and no fuses blowing.

If the reversing light isn't hooked up, what has happened to the loose end of the wire that normally goes to the reversing light? Could the end of that wire be touching part of the body?

Immediately after the fuse blows, do any wires feel warm to the touch?

4 fuses, I'll label them I, II, III, IV in this instance. (from left to right) Yup, I isn't even being used here.....:o

1) black wire: loops from IV to III (as the current flows)
2) it's pretty obvious that I and IV are bridged. No current with the ignition turned off.
3) from IV to the flasher can
4) from IV to the lower speedo light
5) goes up the A pillar to somewhere
6) goes to the horn
7) superfluous wire leading to grey curcuit joiner thing(but not grounded either)

I hope this helps a bit..

Failing fault finding this, whats an estimate of the cost of rewiring the front of the car with stock colour coded wiring?

Who knows that proper fuse values that I should be using - including the additional two for the headlights (positioned nearer to the fuel tank)?

I hate this shit.



[ Edited on 3-3-06 by oval TOFU ]

this is to prove that I've got the rear wiring correct:

8) ignition wire (to fuse box or whereever)
9) to dizzy
10) to auto choke and cut off soilnoid

And i'm 100% sure that the coil's terminals are the correct way around. In my case, (+) is on the left side.



[ Edited on 3-3-06 by oval TOFU ]

[ Edited on 3-3-06 by oval TOFU ]

fucking cars:jesus

How have you connected the generator wires????

Dumone - you are right

In the picture you have the dizzy (condenser) going to the same as another wire.

this will be your problem

The condenser goes to the -ve

All other +ve wires go to the other side

Bet a beer this is your problem

Yep thats your prob Chris. 8 & 9 should no t be on the same terminal on the coil. This is a dead short. Swap 9 & 10 and you should be on your way.
Good luck. Call me if you have any more trouble mate. 0412 500 588

att: Dumone and Bizarre. I owe you beers.

It's all good now! :bounce:bounce:bounce I musta read the wiring diagrams incorrectly - majorly incorrectly.

Can anyone tell me the fuse values for the respective I,II,III,IV fuses as well, the two headlight fuses?

Ta

Thanks for ya offer too Dean

nice one!

:beer cheers.

wicked! so has she settled now?? nice height in the ass?

Dumone and Bizarre - come to the Jambo to collect ya beers!