I've been chasing an electrical short for... too long and it's really pissing me off!! I blew a fusable link and first I thought it was the power window. I replaced that and didn't have a problem for a month. Since I wasn't positive on why it shorted out I got a shop to put in an extra fuse to protect the fusable link. It's inline with the wire that supplies pretty much the whole ignition system. The short is back though and with avengance!! It blew the new fuse and I went to put in another like I usually do(once it blew when I put the AC on) and EVEN with the ignition off I can't put the fuse in without it melting and sparks flyin. I had a problem with my starter solenoid because of heat with the headers so relocated a new one. Problem solved... or so I thought. I went to start it and I had no power again. I messed with the alternator plug and it went away, but came back. So now I'm thinking alternator. WHAT DO YOU THINK??!!!

Also, if it's not the alt. what are ALL the possible things that could cause a short that would usually burn up a fusable link with the ignition off??? In other words - What is live with the ignition off???

I'm positive it's not an exposed wire because it happens intermitently even without me moving ANY wires.

Thanks.

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88 firebird formula
350 Vortec TBI
214int/224exh, .471int/.491exh
Edelbrock headers
T56 - SIX-speed
open 3.73's
2 1/4 stock catback
I love pissing those LS1's off
My Formula

All your base are belong to us.

 

There's all sorts of stuff that gets unswitched battery, inside the car. Stuff like power seats; headlights; brake lights; etc. Plus of course the big red wires that carry battery to the ignition switch.

I'd bet you have a chafed wire somewhere.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

I'm almost 100% positive it isn't a shorted wire. Plus it's causing what would be a fusable link to blow. I took out EVERY fuse in the box and the short was still there. I know it's on the main ignition wiring somewhere and the wires look good.

------------------
88 firebird formula
350 Vortec TBI
214int/224exh, .471int/.491exh
Edelbrock headers
T56 - SIX-speed
open 3.73's
2 1/4 stock catback
I love pissing those LS1's off
My Formula

All your base are belong to us.

 

I think you are on the right track with the alternator. Try another one out for a bit and see what happens.

 

I really hope that's it.

Does anyone know how the wiring to and from the alternator goes? I'm thinking that the main supply line that's bolted to the alt. is being shorted out internally by the alt. and causing the short in the main ignition wiring. Like I said, it's intermittent and when i mess with the wires it goes and comes. I haven't been able to disconnect the wire that's bolted on the alt. yet because I didn't have the right tool, but I'll try tomorrow.

 

I must give credit to RB83L69!! I finally isolated the problem to somewhere between the firewall and the ignition switch. I unplugged the ign. switch and it was still shorting so I mived some wires around and saw a spark. Basically, the supply for my whole ignition system was resting on the fusebox mount causing it to fray and short out sometimes. I feel so good now!!!

------------------
88 firebird formula
350 Vortec TBI
214int/224exh, .471int/.491exh
Edelbrock headers
T56 - SIX-speed
open 3.73's
2 1/4 stock catback
I love pissing those LS1's off
My Formula

All your base are belong to us.

 

See, wiring isn't so tough, is it?

------------------
"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports