Coincidence, then. Electrical problems can occur while parked up or
running. As well as vibration shaking something loose while underway you
can get incipient corrosion that over time gradually creeps between two
parts that are supposed to be in contact. Eventually the two parts become
electrically isolated, which can be because either the corrosion works right
through, or it just leaves a very small contact patch which when you turn
the item on and it tries to carry the normal current cannot do so and acts
like a fuse, going open circuit.
Check the white wires at the fusebox with the ignition on. If they show a
good 12v then check both ends of the fuse holder, and the fuse and the
connectors on the ends of the green wires. If there is no 12v at the
fusebox the 4-way connector with three whites should be with several others
in the engine compartment near where the firewall meets the right-hand inner
wing, it is where the loom to the back of the car meets the main loom that
goes from behind the dash to the engine compartment and on to the front
lights.
In both cases if any of the electrical parts show corrosion then clean them
up. If it is the 4-way connector replace it, they are only pennies,
sometimes they can break internally as well as corrode. Sometimes the
fusebox can get so cruddy that people replace them, not that expensive. If
the wire connectors are a loose fit on the spades they can be squeezed
slightly for a tighter fit on the spade. Another possibility is the wire
connector broken inside the plastic insulation, I once had a headlight fail
because of this, the insulation got nicked in the wheel arch and the
constant wet got in and corroded the copper strands right through.
Good luck,
Paul.
----- Original Message -----
From: "joseph cianciotti" <jmc987@earthlink.net>
To: "Telewest (PH)" <paul.hunt1@blueyonder.co.uk>
Cc: "<jmc987@earthlink.net>" <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, December 23, 2002 6:45 PM
Subject: Re: Fuse problem?
> Thanks for your quick response. I'll check those bits along with the fuse
and
> see.
>
> But the scenario of the open circuit has me confused. You see, after I
> installed the pump, I took the car out for a spin and everything worked
fine.
> When I got home, I noticed a leak from the lower fuel line. (I had filled
the
> car up and parked on an incline.) So I undid the fuel line, replaced a
washer
> and tightened it all up. I then checked the gas gauge to see how much gas
I
> lost in the process. So the gauge was working. This morning it's not. So
is it
> possible for a circuit to go open without any anyone's help? (Maybe the
gods
> on Mount Lucas are toying with me?)
>
> If there is an open circuit, where will I find the the white to ground
and/or
> the 4-way bullet with three whites?
>
> And, finally, how do I repair something like that?
>
> Sorry if my questions seem elementary. I've never had an electrical
gremlin
> like this before. (Maybe my car liked it better in California.)
>
> Joseph
> 67 MGB Roadster
>
> On Mon, 23 Dec 2002 15:58:55 -0000 "Telewest (PH)"
> <paul.hunt1@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
>
> > The fuse that powers the gauge and turn signals
> > also powers stop lights,
> > reverse lights, wipers, heater fan and is the
> > one with a white wires on one
> > side and greens on the other. If only some of
> > the above are affected it is
> > probably the wire connectors making a bad
> > connection to the spades on the
> > fusebox. However it's possible that when
> > working on the pump you shorted
> > the white to ground and the 4-way bullet with
> > three whites in it may have
> > gone open-circuit. If there is no 12v on the
> > whites at the fusebox with the
> > ignition on this is probably the cause.
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "joseph cianciotti"
> > To:
> > Sent: Monday, December 23, 2002 2:44 PM
> > Subject: Fuse problem?
> >
> >
> > > Replaced my fuel pump yesterday. Other than
> > having my hands and forearms
> > > dowsed with gasoline, everything seems to
> > work fine. Yesterday. This
> > morning I
> > > started the car and found that the fuel gauge
> > and turn signals weren't
> > > working. I assume it's a fuse (although I was
> > running late and didn't have
> > > time to sort it out). That's where I'll
> > start. But if it's not a fuse
> > where
> > > else should I look? Thanks in advance,
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