HELP:Electric short problem

Bob's66396 · Jan 1, 2009

My 66 SS 396 is fully restored,this includes the electrical systems.All stock,nothing added on thats not factory.Restoration is about one year old.
Everything was working fine,no problems at all till last Sunday.As I was driving on bumpy, rolling country roads,the radio and clock stopped working.after I got home and noticed that I have no tail lights,interior lights,dash lights,and brake lights.The turn signals work.The 20 amp fuse was blown,and everytime I would put another in,it would pop right away.There are no visual problems I can see.Any one have any suggestions on any common causes,or what to look for.Please let me know...Bob

Chevl_Steve · Jan 1, 2009

While there could be thousands of possibilities, I am going to say that the first thing to look for is where the wire bundle rubs up against a piece of metal.

Get under the dash and in the trunk and look for wiring touching a section of the body. I'm thinking right now the bumpy road MAY have been the straw that broke the camel's back when the wiring was rubbing and chaffing against a piece of metal.

If you can't find it still, remove the fuse block and look behind it. You might find a surprise hiding there.

anychevy · Jan 1, 2009

Bob's66396 said:
I have no tail lights,interior lights,dash lights,and brake lights.The turn signals work.The 20 amp fuse was blown,and everytime I would put another in,it would pop right away.

As above and also check where the tail light harness (flat ribbon in black plastic cover) runs between the floor and back seat frame.

Bob's66396 · Jan 1, 2009

I did check the wiring harness in the trunk,that looked ok.I have not checked behind the fuse block,so I'll do that in the am.Thanks again,Bob

Bob's66396 · Jan 2, 2009

Bob's66396 said:
My 66 SS 396 is fully restored,this includes the electrical systems.All stock,nothing added on thats not factory.Restoration is about one year old.
Everything was working fine,no problems at all till last Sunday.As I was driving on bumpy, rolling country roads,the radio and clock stopped working.after I got home and noticed that I have no tail lights,interior lights,dash lights,and brake lights.The turn signals work.The 20 amp fuse was blown,and everytime I would put another in,it would pop right away.There are no visual problems I can see.Any one have any suggestions on any common causes,or what to look for.Please let me know...Bob

Found the short.The clock in my console was fried.Thanks for all the suggestions and advise...Bob

Chevl_Steve · Jan 3, 2009

Bob's66396 said:
Found the short.The clock in my console was fried.Thanks for all the suggestions and advise...Bob

Let me get this straight ....your clock shorted out while going down a bumpy road cruisin in your Chevelle .... so would this headline read: "Time fries while you're having fun!" ? LOL

Ok, so WHY did your clock fry? Was there a short in wiring somewhere? Suggest you look closer to verify it's not a shorted wire. It could have been an internal short...but I'm not convinced yet.

Steve

HELP:Electric short problem

Bob's66396

Chevl_Steve

anychevy

Bob's66396

Bob's66396

Chevl_Steve

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