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Electrial issues...where to start

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Whitephrog

Luke Skywalker
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Hadn't had the Whitephrog out in several months. Decided it was time for a spin. Turned the key to start expecting to hear the putt, putt, putt from the fuel pump.....nothing. Checked horn, lights, etc....nothing. Took the battery (nearly new Bosch) to Autozone they confirmed that the battery was good and gave it a full charge. Put the battery back in. Turn the key to start....nothing. No fuel pump putting, no lights, etc. I really hate fooling with electric stuff but have no choice in this case. Where do I start? What is a logical sequence?

Post Script: I went out this morning....reconnected the battery...turned the key to start...still nothing until I pulled the wiper switch. They horn blew!! Turned the key to off...pulled the wiper switch...the horn blew!!
 
Ray, I would start with the main ground cable off the battery where it attaches to the fire wall. I would remove it and lightly sand both the body and the flat connector. Grounds are a Sprites worst enemy.
 
First suggestion is to check all the electrical connections for good, solid connections. Pay close attention the grounds as well. The horn push should ground the horn, causing the beep -- if the wiper switch beeps the horn then somehow it's making the ground for the horn. Might be a loose wire behind the dash.

Luckily a Bugeye doesn't have all that many wires to begin with.
 
Ray, if you have a 12V test light, or an voltmeter, put the test leads across the battery terminals. Should get a reading of 12V or light the light. Then move the ground lead to a good ground on the body....should get a reading. Then move the power lead to the battery connection on the starter solenoid. should get a reading. the horn is hot all the time, so put the power lead to the hot side of the horn fuse.....etc.....get the idea?
Scott in CA
 
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