Minor Electrical Success

As part of the continuing saga to get my TR3 on the road after sitting for 10 years I've been fighting a short that kills my wipers, brake lights, and fuel guage for about a month now. It seemed easy enough since when I stuck my hand in the rats nest behind the center console sometimes they would start working again.

So I pulled it out about 2 inches (I can't get the oil line loose and I'm afraid of busting it) and attacked it. I found no less than 5 wires in there that had large portions of insulation melted completely off.

Hmmmm.

Replaced them and ran a new ground strap to the fuel guage as mine was GONE. Nothing left but a melted stub of wire and a ring connector.

Still nothing.

Turned on the wipers and started wiggling everything under the dash.

Still nothing.

Just for grins I started wiggling around the fuse block.

I FINALLY FOUND MY SHORT!!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

one of the white and red wires that goes to the bottom of the fuse block makes the short come and go.

So I found a little piece of insulation rubbed off, spliced in a new wire and connector and everything started working again.

Loaded the kids for a celebratory drive around town and the stupid thing cut out again. There's a bend right where it exits the wrapping on the harness that is shorting out.

I really need to buy a new harness.

But the really exciting news is that the ignition warning light works now for the first time since I bought the car in 1984.

Small victories....

Nothing that exciting or informative for you guys but I had to share it with someone since my wife looks at me like I'm from Mongolia when I start prattling on about this stuff.

But my 6 year old is VERY excited about the new red light that comes on when I turn the key. Now he wants to know why the green one doesn't work...

ungrateful little ankle-biter.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif Turn signals are the next project.

I don't know how expensive a new wiring harness is for a TR3 but I put a new one in the Mini. I wish I'd put one in the GT6. New harnesses are good investments. New insulation and clean bullet connectors make a big difference.

It sounds like you're getting there. I'm glad your 6 year old is out there with you and excited about the success. I wish I could get my kids that interested!

Congrats on the wiring success-- I love little electrical things about as much as any other type of improvement -- mechanical, cosmetic, etc. Maybe its the flashing lights that show up!?

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...one of the white and red wires that goes to the bottom of the fuse block makes the short come and go.

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FWIW, the white/red wire would orginally have not been connected to the fuse block, it would have gone to the solenoid.

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I really need to buy a new harness.

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Yes. I recall standing on the passenger side floorboard and pulling the entire harness our of the car. Felt real good. Even better feeling when I got that new harness installed. I can't believe how many years I put up with that mess of patches, electrical tape and mystery wires. Does yours look a bit like this?: