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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: chevyman72 on June 07, 2011, 11:43:58 am

Title: Short in wiring
Post by: chevyman72 on June 07, 2011, 11:43:58 am: 1987 c10...There is a double red wire that runs into a single red wire attached to a diamond shaped terminal on the top center of fire wall. It looks like the two wires come together and are connected by a rubber round black factory link and then single wire coming out and attached to the terminal on the fire wall. I noticed the single wire to the terminal has burnt in two. This has something to do with starter or ignition. No crank, no blinkers, but the headlights will come on.
Title: Re: Short in wiring
Post by: 1980c10 on June 07, 2011, 11:57:54 am: Fix this and it will solve all of your problems, The diamond shape terminal is a power distribution block.
Title: Re: Short in wiring
Post by: jaredts on June 07, 2011, 02:46:36 pm: The wire that feeds that block (passenger side) should go to the starter where it gets B+ (battery pos.). Make sure the fusible link at the starter has not been replaced with a wire or shortened as it really should have burned up before that wire did. Something overloaded the wire, and that could have been a short to ground somewhere (not good).
Title: Re: Short in wiring
Post by: 1980c10 on June 07, 2011, 05:15:36 pm: Also, wires will sometimes get hot if they are loose so tighten all if your connections on your battery, starter, alt and distribution block.
Title: Re: Short in wiring
Post by: chevyman72 on June 14, 2011, 10:26:47 pm: I am most certain I have a short but I think it is in my alternator. I haven't came across any naked wires. I noticed that when I touch the burnt wires back together they turn red immediately indicating a dead short somewhere. I will disconnect alternator then touch wires to see if current draw. If none then I will say alternator. If not I will move to next probable cause. Ignition and starter.
Title: Re: Short in wiring
Post by: VileZambonie on June 14, 2011, 10:51:07 pm: You burned your fusible links. Check the wiring going around the valve covers and down by the starter to make sure they haven't chafed through.

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=11972.0
Title: Re: Short in wiring
Post by: 1979C20 on June 15, 2011, 06:27:52 am: Quote from: VileZambonie on June 14, 2011, 10:51:07 pm
You burned your fusible links. Check the wiring going around the valve covers and down by the starter to make sure they haven't chafed through.

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=11972.0
Vile, quick question. Would ir be acceptable to replace a fusible link with an inline fuse?
Title: Re: Short in wiring
Post by: chevyman72 on June 16, 2011, 01:03:20 pm: Sure I could change to inline fuse but it surely burn cause I have a short. I just have to narrow it down.
Title: Re: Short in wiring
Post by: RCCoors on June 16, 2011, 01:14:24 pm: I had this exact problem. It turned out to be the B+ wire from the distribution block going down to the starter. It got too close to the exhaust manifold and melted causing the short. I replaced the wire and re-routed away from everything hot! I also zip tied the wires to other areas to make sure they never get close again.