Where does battery negative lead attach??

[Arbman Al]

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marshman wrote:

Al,

Sounds like a direct short circuit. Most things have a fuse protecting them so any significant current, and I think melting battery leads are in that catagory!, would blow the fuse.

Do you remember the thread about two weeks ago about what goes where under the bonnet. There was the positive terminal on the bulkhead just behind the RH exhaust manifold. Vmad (I think) said to make sure it was covered as it was easy to short things out on it. Did you completely remove that terminal for spraying, if so did you refit it correctly?

Check that the positive feed to the starter solonoid is not earthing out at either end.

 Pull the plug from the alternator as this has a direct feed from the battery then see if the short is still there.

One way to check without risking damage is to connect the positive battery lead via a light bulb. If there is a short to earth the bulb will light but no big sparks and melted leads. Don't use a ammeter because if it is really shorting out there could be a few hundred amps flowing.:shock: and it won't like that much.

One last thought, what about the square block on the bottom of the inner wing - the one not fitted to a MK1? is that fitted correctly?

Good Luck

Roger

Hi Roger,
Thanks for your reply. That gives me some things to check.
The bulkhead terminal you mention, is that on a mk2 as well?
I don't remember putting anything back or connecting any wires to it!
I cannot get my alternator plug in and out without loosening off the alternator, is that normal?

Rgds....Al

[Arbman Al]

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TimShoubridge wrote:

Al,

You're welcome to come and look at mine tomorrow.

Hi Tim,

Doubt if I will have time tomorrow, but thanks for the offer.

You up and running again now?

I could probably do with parking yours and mine together sometime to check I have things in the right place

Rgds......Al.

[Guest]

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Hi Al, please forgive me for saying this, but you have got the battery installed the right way round haven't you ?i.e. negative on the left. Martin.

[StagnJag]

imported post

arbman101 wrote:

marshman wrote:

Al,

Sounds like a direct short circuit. Most things have a fuse protecting them so any significant current, and I think melting battery leads are in that catagory!, would blow the fuse.

Do you remember the thread about two weeks ago about what goes where under the bonnet. There was the positive terminal on the bulkhead just behind the RH exhaust manifold. Vmad (I think) said to make sure it was covered as it was easy to short things out on it.Did you completely remove that terminal for spraying, if so did you refit it correctly?

Check that the positive feed to the starter solonoid is not earthing out at either end.

Pull the plug from the alternator as this has a direct feed from the battery then see if the short is still there.

One way to check without risking damage is to connect the positive battery lead via a light bulb. If there is a short to earth the bulb will light but no big sparks and melted leads. Don't use a ammeter because if it is really shorting out there could be a few hundred amps flowing.:shock:and it won't like that much.

One last thought, what about the square block on the bottom of the inner wing - the one not fitted to a MK1? is that fitted correctly?

Good Luck

Roger

Hi Roger,
Thanks for your reply. That gives me some things to check.
The bulkhead terminal you mention, is that on a mk2 as well?
I don't remember putting anything back or connecting any wires to it!
I cannot get my alternator plug in and out without loosening off the alternator, is that normal?

Rgds....Al

I think that terminal was replaced by that connector block that you possted on recently, the one that fixes to the inside of the suspension turret, below the washer bottle.

Regards

Dave

[Arbman Al]

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Martin Stevenson wrote:

Hi Al, please forgive me for saying this, but you have got the battery installed the right way round haven't you ? i.e. negative on the left.  Martin.

Yes, it is right way round. I did double check though because when the clamp is on you can't see the +ve and -ve signs!

Al

[Arbman Al]

imported post

StagnJag wrote:

arbman101 wrote:

marshman wrote:

Al,

Sounds like a direct short circuit. Most things have a fuse protecting them so any significant current, and I think melting battery leads are in that catagory!, would blow the fuse.

Do you remember the thread about two weeks ago about what goes where under the bonnet. There was the positive terminal on the bulkhead just behind the RH exhaust manifold. Vmad (I think) said to make sure it was covered as it was easy to short things out on it.Did you completely remove that terminal for spraying, if so did you refit it correctly?

Check that the positive feed to the starter solonoid is not earthing out at either end.

Pull the plug from the alternator as this has a direct feed from the battery then see if the short is still there.

One way to check without risking damage is to connect the positive battery lead via a light bulb. If there is a short to earth the bulb will light but no big sparks and melted leads. Don't use a ammeter because if it is really shorting out there could be a few hundred amps flowing.:shock:and it won't like that much.

One last thought, what about the square block on the bottom of the inner wing - the one not fitted to a MK1? is that fitted correctly?

Good Luck

Roger

Hi Roger,
Thanks for your reply. That gives me some things to check.
The bulkhead terminal you mention, is that on a mk2 as well?
I don't remember putting anything back or connecting any wires to it!
I cannot get my alternator plug in and out without loosening off the alternator, is that normal?

Rgds....Al

I think that terminal was replaced by that connector block that you possted on recently, the one that fixes to the inside of the suspension turret, below the washer bottle.

Regards

Dave

Hi Dave

I hope so!
I have not checked it yet but when I was putting the connector block on the screw would not take on the turret, so I wound in a bigger one. It is possible this has caught a wire which would be earthing out on the turret:shock:

I am sureI was asleep last night when I thought of this!!

Rgds.....Al

[Arbman Al]

imported post

Hi All,

After a quick look tonight it would appear to be something to do with the +ve lead to the starter motor. I have taken it off for now, but it is possible that a bare part near the connection to the starter motor was touching the body work:shock:

Took the alternatorplug off first and it was no different, now got to put the damn thing back on again - does anyone else have trouble getting the plug back on the alternator? Yesterday I had to move the steering pump, loosen off the alternator to swing it around a bit just to get the plug on:X:X

Another reason to move it to the top right.

Rgds....Al.