I have a short in my electrical system, help!

8850 · 01-14-2001, 09:20 PM

My battery keeps going down during the week. When I connect my ground wire it has a slight spark. Anybody got any thoughts on how to find the problem.

------------------
88 347, Twisted wedge heads,Comp Cams 224/230 cam, 1/4=10.718 @ 123.02 mph

88workcar · 01-14-2001, 09:25 PM

Sounds like a bad diode in the alt., go have it tested.

------------------
Jason B Johnson
88LX,speed density,edel heads,4.30s,B-303,cobra,tremac,
12.38 @ 111.28 1.80 60ft 28X10 street tires
12.17 @ 112 26 X 10 slicks
http://www.mustangworks.com/mustangs...g347-slot3.jpg

Darkside · 01-14-2001, 09:42 PM

First go to your fuse Panel remove the courtsey light fuse. Then remove Negetive battery cable hook test light in line between battery and battery cable. if it is lighted you have a current draw. Then go back to fuse panel remove one fuse at a time until light goes out. If light goes out the last fuse you pulled will be the circut you current draw is in. If at the start with the courtsey fuse their was no light the draw is in the courtsey circut. If all fuses are removed and light is still on disconnect Alternator see if draw is gone, If it is then replace alternator. Be sure to have the key removed from the inigtion switch during test. If you have any power accessories added to the car like amps or alarms disconect them before starting test. Your car has fuse links as well as fuses, these also can be a source for current draw in the systems that are powered up with out a fuse. 90% of the time you will find it when you pull the fuse, if you do look at your owners manuel see what that fuse protects then disconnect each item till you find the problem and replace the faulty part. Good Luck

Army

------------------
89 Notchback 347 Trick flow heads and intake bbk full length headers 3.73 Pro Charger with 3 row intercooler and much much more never enough got to go faster!!!

8850 · 01-14-2001, 10:17 PM

Army,

I disconnected the battery and then installed the test light between the battery and the ground wire. Sure enough, the light comes on very dimly but certainly on. I pulled every fuse and disconnected the alternator but the light still works. What should I try next? I have no alarm system on my Mustang. Sure some good information you gave me but it has got to be somewhere else.

Darkside · 01-14-2001, 10:43 PM

I don't have my source for fuse link wireing here at home, but I will check the All Data system at the shop in the morning and check the color of the wires to see where they go. I know onefuse link that spits into 2 separate wires can cause a draw but I can't remember what it supplied. You said the light is on dim is it dimmer than when you touch it accross the battery terminal? Check that and let me know, you can post it here or E mail if you like, my e mail is darkside662@home.com

------------------
89 Notchback 347 Trick flow heads and intake bbk full length headers 3.73 Pro Charger with 3 row intercooler and much much more never enough got to go faster!!!

8850 · 01-14-2001, 11:47 PM

As I mentioned by email, it is the big yellow wire that connects to the starter relay by the coil. It branches into four wires, three black and one brown. With this yellow wire off the light goes completely out.

01-14-2001, 09:20 PM	#1
8850 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Sugarland, TX USA Posts: 161	I have a short in my electrical system, help! My battery keeps going down during the week. When I connect my ground wire it has a slight spark. Anybody got any thoughts on how to find the problem. ------------------ 88 347, Twisted wedge heads,Comp Cams 224/230 cam, 1/4=10.718 @ 123.02 mph

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01-14-2001, 09:25 PM	#2
88workcar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Pierre Part, La. U.S.A. Posts: 1,850	Sounds like a bad diode in the alt., go have it tested. ------------------ Jason B Johnson 88LX,speed density,edel heads,4.30s,B-303,cobra,tremac, 12.38 @ 111.28 1.80 60ft 28X10 street tires 12.17 @ 112 26 X 10 slicks http://www.mustangworks.com/mustangs...g347-slot3.jpg

01-14-2001, 09:42 PM	#3
Darkside Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East Alton Ill. USA!!! Posts: 26	First go to your fuse Panel remove the courtsey light fuse. Then remove Negetive battery cable hook test light in line between battery and battery cable. if it is lighted you have a current draw. Then go back to fuse panel remove one fuse at a time until light goes out. If light goes out the last fuse you pulled will be the circut you current draw is in. If at the start with the courtsey fuse their was no light the draw is in the courtsey circut. If all fuses are removed and light is still on disconnect Alternator see if draw is gone, If it is then replace alternator. Be sure to have the key removed from the inigtion switch during test. If you have any power accessories added to the car like amps or alarms disconect them before starting test. Your car has fuse links as well as fuses, these also can be a source for current draw in the systems that are powered up with out a fuse. 90% of the time you will find it when you pull the fuse, if you do look at your owners manuel see what that fuse protects then disconnect each item till you find the problem and replace the faulty part. Good Luck Army ------------------ 89 Notchback 347 Trick flow heads and intake bbk full length headers 3.73 Pro Charger with 3 row intercooler and much much more never enough got to go faster!!!

01-14-2001, 10:17 PM	#4
8850 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Sugarland, TX USA Posts: 161	Army, I disconnected the battery and then installed the test light between the battery and the ground wire. Sure enough, the light comes on very dimly but certainly on. I pulled every fuse and disconnected the alternator but the light still works. What should I try next? I have no alarm system on my Mustang. Sure some good information you gave me but it has got to be somewhere else.

01-14-2001, 10:43 PM	#5
Darkside Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East Alton Ill. USA!!! Posts: 26	I don't have my source for fuse link wireing here at home, but I will check the All Data system at the shop in the morning and check the color of the wires to see where they go. I know onefuse link that spits into 2 separate wires can cause a draw but I can't remember what it supplied. You said the light is on dim is it dimmer than when you touch it accross the battery terminal? Check that and let me know, you can post it here or E mail if you like, my e mail is darkside662@home.com ------------------ 89 Notchback 347 Trick flow heads and intake bbk full length headers 3.73 Pro Charger with 3 row intercooler and much much more never enough got to go faster!!!

01-14-2001, 11:47 PM	#6
8850 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Sugarland, TX USA Posts: 161	As I mentioned by email, it is the big yellow wire that connects to the starter relay by the coil. It branches into four wires, three black and one brown. With this yellow wire off the light goes completely out.