Short in wiring

[chevyman72]

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.

[1980c10]

Fix this and it will solve all of your problems, The diamond shape terminal is a power distribution block.

[jaredts]

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).

[1980c10]

Also, wires will sometimes get hot if they are loose so tighten all if your connections on your battery, starter, alt and distribution block.

[chevyman72]

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.

[VileZambonie]

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

[1979C20]

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?

[chevyman72]

Sure I could change to inline fuse but it surely burn cause I have a short. I just have to narrow it down.

[RCCoors]

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.