5 replies to this topic

[Boyoh]

My Grandson ( now 14) and I (now 82) started resurrection of a 1981 mini. We’ve now completed the engine overhaul, new big end bearings, piston rings, valve regrinds etc. iThe car had been idle since 1989 so considerable muscle and brainpower required, both supplied by Grandson.

One of the main issues with the car was a leak at the water pump so the near side front inner wing was severely rusted. No problem, a bit of muscle and replacement inner wing and all good. WRONG. Every joint and screw and bolt required Mister WD-40’s best penetrating oil and patience.. Both headlight shells and indicator collapsed as soon as we looked at them. Now we are on the electrics. Fine, except we think a live has been connected to earth. Where do you start looking? We will find it it. My Grandson and I are still on best terms. At least I think so. I haven’t dared ask him about his crabby Granddad. It’s been great so far. Long may it continue, not the renovation just having his company.

[KTS]

sounds like you're having fun !

 

what symptoms are you seeing and what diagnostic tools do you have ? 

 

sparking when you try and reconnect the battery but not blowing fuses would suggest either the main battery cable is shorting out somewhere or the fault is in an unfused circuit

 

if fuses are blowing, that should help narrow it down

 

a quick check of the main battery cable would be to disconnect all the other wires from the starter solenoid post and then try connecting the battery;  if it sparks it would indicate a short.  if not, touch each of the wires you've disconnected in turn 'til one of them sparks. that should narrow it down a bit....

Edited by KTS, 24 August 2023 - 08:33 PM.

[stuart bowes]

Sounds like a fun thing to do together I bet he loves it too

On the subject of 'if fuses are blowing..'

Could maybe try looking at a volt meter and continuity testing from earth to either solid green (eg reverse switch or brake pedal) which means the short is on one of the switched live items, or solid brown (back of light switch) / purple (courtesy light) which means the short is on permanent live

Seems to me those are both fairly likely possibilities and because they're all linked together back to one fuse you can narrow it down quite quickly by confirming if it is or is not on one of those

Either way you're left with a short list of things to check

Edited by stuart bowes, 24 August 2023 - 08:40 PM.

[68+86auto]

What is the symptom?

 

I am not certain but I think if you connect a test light between one of the battery terminals and the corresponding lead (removed from the battery) it will be a good idea. It will limit the current so that you don't melt something and will glow to indicate current being drawn. This is assuming the issue is as soon as you connect the battery, not after the ignition is switched on.

[Steam]

Most teenagers will have more time and patience with the grandies than their parents, so all will be good even if you do hear his eyes roll frequently.
Treat the electrical system with logic, that is work methidical through each seperate sytem at a time. Some of the sytems will be on fuses and there are a couple of hidden fuses in the dash bulhead area but try to work out the exact symptoms and which sytems are affected then divide and conquer.

[sonscar]

I would also go with the test light idea,nice and safe and a quick visual indicator.Steve..