Battery cable shorted out

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Jezz Bodie
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Battery cable shorted out

Post by Jezz Bodie »

The car cut out today while driving, totally lost all electrics.
Looking at the battery, the small positive wire sparked when i wiggled it, and burnt down a bit.
I repaired the wire then the battery shorted when i tried to connect it back up.
I disconnected the battery for fear of a fire and towed her home.

I figure the wire has rubbed down on the bodywork somewhere and earthed itself, but it was getting dark and i couldn't tell.
Does this seem plausible? If so, is there a common place where this happens?

Thanks in advance.
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stevemarl
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Re: Battery cable shorted out

Post by stevemarl »

Jezz Bodie wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 9:01 pm I figure the wire has rubbed down on the bodywork somewhere and earthed itself, but it was getting dark and i couldn't tell.
Does this seem plausible?
Yes that`s most likely, or a fault in fusebox etc, anything that`s not fused. I believe, or at least `someone said,` that the thin black lead you`re referring to is in effect a fuse and is designed to burn out if there`s a short, rather than the loom igniting. I don`t know where you`d start looking though.
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Re: Battery cable shorted out

Post by Mc Tool »

When you connect up the wire we are talkin about there would normally be a bit of a spark , not enough to lead plate your face but depending on the load ( how much stuff you got switched on )there will be a spark as you power up ( this is why dizzy points have a condenser ....to stop the spark fizzing the points ). Maybe that terminal on the end of the wire was faulty or loose enough to fizz away and get hot ,burn the wire and eventually fail leaving with no power
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Jezz Bodie
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Re: Battery cable shorted out

Post by Jezz Bodie »

Turns out it was the headlight relay box.
A mate of mine had been trying to get it working on main beam, and somehow it shorted out.

All good apart from finding another one.

Thanks for the replys.
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stevemarl
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Re: Battery cable shorted out

Post by stevemarl »

Martin, Caprigear will have one: Tel: +44 (0)1507 343148 (workshop)
Mc Tool
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Re: Battery cable shorted out

Post by Mc Tool »

Has anyone tried scrubbing one up to make it look new ? ,........ :doh: where is my mind .....Nick😁, how did you get yours looking like factory new ?( as Im sure it is )
Sometimes I talk to myself ... and we both have a good laugh
Jezz Bodie
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Re: Battery cable shorted out

Post by Jezz Bodie »

Thinking about it, mine is a mk2, so should i have the relay with four fuses?
Wasnt that for the mk3 double lights?
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Re: Battery cable shorted out

Post by Peter-S »

Mc Tool wrote: Mon Apr 19, 2021 9:00 pm Has anyone tried scrubbing one up to make it look new ? ,........ :doh: where is my mind .....Nick😁, how did you get yours looking like factory new ?( as Im sure it is )
Andrew is your man!

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stevemarl
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Re: Battery cable shorted out

Post by stevemarl »

Jezz Bodie wrote: Mon Apr 19, 2021 9:28 pm Thinking about it, mine is a mk2, so should i have the relay with four fuses?
Wasnt that for the mk3 double lights?
I think you`re right. I would give Martin a ring as he will be able to supply you with correct part.
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