Shorts

I recently acquired a 1929 coupe, and I’m facing an electrical issue. Initially, the horn and lights weren’t working, but now I’m encountering a problem where I keep blowing fuses as soon as I insert a new one into the fuse protector circuit on top of the starter. I’m new to the Model A, and I’m struggling to find any information on troubleshooting the electrical system.

Answer:

Dealing with electrical issues can require some detective work. There are several potential sources of a short circuit that could be causing your fuse to blow. Here’s a step-by-step approach to troubleshooting:

  1. Start by disconnecting the wiring harness from the bottom of the steering column and try a fuse. If it blows, this suggests an issue in the wiring between the steering column and the fuse protector circuit.
  2. Check the wiring at the firewall terminal box and behind your dash panel for any visible damage or frayed wires that could be causing a short.
  3. If the fuse doesn’t blow when the steering column wiring is disconnected, start tracing each wire from where the wiring harness connects at the bottom of the steering column. Look for any frayed edges or areas where the wire insulation may be in contact with metal.
  4. Pay close attention to the ferrules that cover the headlight and horn wires, as these can be a source of shorts.
  5. Inspect inside your headlight buckets for any issues.
  6. If you have a metal tube with wires running from the generator to the terminal box on the firewall, examine it carefully for any damage or exposed wires.

Unfortunately, there’s no magic solution for electrical troubleshooting, but by systematically checking each part of the wiring and components, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue. Feel free to reach out with any updates or further questions. Good luck! – Lyle Meek, 1997 Technical Director

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