Hey all,

Headlights quit yesterday so I started with the switch, bought a new one with no luck so I checked all the pins on the connecter and none show power. So I replaced the fusible links by the solenoid with 10 gauge wire. When I started to hook the battery back up it arc'd and I got smoke rising up from the starter.

I'm about to go buy some actual fusible links, curious about the size or do I just get them for 14 gauge wire?

Also could this be a sign that I have a bad short somewhere? If so how would I go about finding that?

 

Yes, that is THE sign you have a bad short somewhere. The only way is to follow the wire from the source (@ solenoid) until you find the short. The diagrams shows there isn't anything between the source and the headlight switch... other than the fusable link and Bulkhead C100.

 

Ok, well I've seemed to have tracked down a short. Must have pinched it in the column last time I dropped it. I want to replace the 10 GA wire with a fusible link or in line fuse just in case this happens again. I'd rather the fuse or link pops rather then the whole wire burn.

What size should I be looking for amp wise? I haven't found any replacements through searching.

Thanks for the diagram that helped a bunch!

 

IIRC fusable links are 2 gauges smaller than the wire they are protecting. For a 10 gauge, a 14 gauge fusable link will burn out and stop conducting before the 10g overheats. As for a fuse, search the web to see current capacity of the wire. Since this is for the headlights, I'd guess 20amp should suffice, and will protect the wire.