Roxmic Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 Hi all. My son bought a rough 86 Comanche and has had a number of issues. The worst yet is that he and a friend decided to clean the starter contacts with steel wool. Oddly, neither of them decided to disconnect the battery. As a result, a fusable link for the latch and fuelpump relays blew. I replaced the fusable link. Naturally, when attempting to reconnect the pos lead to the battery, it sparks, the dash lights are out, and the replaced link gets hot. Short right? Of course!! (Never fails!!) Now, I've traced the wire from the link to connector just before the harness enters the firewall. I'm at a bit of an impass as to where to look next. Any ideas? I have a sinking feeling the ECU may have fried. Help!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 Yes, you have a short. A good one. Since you replaced the fusible link and when you reconnect the battery you obviously still have a short further down the line. Fusible links suck as protection devices because it takes them time to blow, and when it finally does the components it is supposed to protect are already fried. Use an ohmmeter connected between the fusible link and ground, and start disconnecting components down the line until the short goes away with your meter. This is tough to do w/o a factory electrical manual because you're more or less guessing. You might be able to find an electrical manual on-line specific for your 86. If you do, ID the fusible link that blew, then start removing/disconnection components working down the line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxmic Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share Posted November 7, 2013 Hornbrod thank you! I had a bad feeling you would say that. I had figured to connect to the link and ground then start pulling fuses. I hope that way to narrow down the system the short is in if possible. Then again, this short could be anywhere :doh: Do you think it may be possible that the short stayed in the system the link is in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Hornbrod thank you! I had a bad feeling you would say that. I had figured to connect to the link and ground then start pulling fuses. I hope that way to narrow down the system the short is in if possible. Then again, this short could be anywhere :doh: Do you think it may be possible that the short stayed in the system the link is in? Yes, very possible. That's the first place I'd start looking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxmic Posted November 28, 2013 Author Share Posted November 28, 2013 So it turned out to be the hot lead for the fuel pump, but...the twist....it was a red wire going to the diagnostic connector mounted on the firewall. Butt terminal in place and securly wrapped in electrical tape, short is gone and the truck is running fine. The battery now even holds a charge lol Thank you for your help :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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