Several thoughts :
1) Get a cheap digital volt-ohm-milliammeter, like the one Harbor
Freight frequently has on sale for $10. Although the accuracy and
quality isn't much, they are rugged enough to ride around in the boot,
and cheap enough that it's not a tragedy if something drastic should
happen. (I once dropped a VOM into the fan blades of a running engine.
OOPS!) I find that just having one helps repel the demons of Lucas <g>
2) Use a test lamp across the fuse terminals. This can be as simple as
a turn signal socket, bulb, and wires, with the wires jammed between the
fuse holder contacts and a bad fuse. (I use a Chevy marker light, and
cheap 'clip leads' from Radio Shack.)
3) Put a self-resetting circuit breaker in the fuse block. (Auto parts
stores carry these, designed to replace a regular fuse.) You can then
use a cheap magnetic compass (the kind that seeks North, not the kind
that draws a circle <g>) to trace the current flow to the short. The
needle will deflect wildly when held next to a wire carrying current.
Or, Whitney sells a kit for $25 that does the same thing (and supposedly
has instructions).
Hope this helps.
Randall
59 TR3A
coday@localaccess.com wrote:
>
> Have been enjoying the warm, sunny weather. I don't think I
> remember how to put the top up. Unfortunately, I have a minor
> electrical problem this year.
>
> Navigator side of the fuse block appears to have developed a dead
> short somewhere. This is the side that lights up the turn signals,
> brake lights and heater fan. I put in a fuse, turn the key and fzzz...
> the fuse blows. Won't even give me enough time to test circuits.
> The only idea I have had so far is to dead short across the fuse
> block and see where the smoke develops so I can find the short.
> Is there a better way? I love Lucas electric, I need an electrical
> engineer, a shaman and a pint of warm beer, then I should be able
> to locate the problem. The shaman is no problem, but the
> electrical engineer and warm beer together make me queasy.
>
> Thanks for any suggestions.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Geezer
> TS52320L (no L)
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