The alternator is wired up so that most of its power goes to the battery. It will only put out a maximum of 35A under load and more often less than that. The way things are wired, think of it as the alternator charges the battery non-stop while the battery supplies power to the car.
The fuse is only pulling what power is needed by the car at the time.
Luckily you can test for shorts pretty easily thanks to the simple fuse block of the Spitfire.
If you have test light (and you should keep one in your car or toolbox handy), disconnect one terminal from the battery, such as the negative (preferred). Hook your test light between the battery cable and the exposed battery terminal itself. This makes the bulb in your light a 'fuse' essentially. Here's the neat thing about doing this. The MAXIMUM load this circuit will pull now will be just enough power to light the test light and no more. What that means is even if you had a dead short someplace down the line, the fuse won't blow and the light will just come on. Much safer.
With everything off in the car, does the light go on? If so, it means something is either still on or is shorted. Pull your main fuse out. Did the light go out? Okay, you know it's in the main circuit, so you can eliminate all wiring between the battery and that main fuse.
Pull the next fuse below it out. Did it go out? If so, check what circuit that is and disconnect any items on it. Do the same for the next and final fuses. You'll be able to determine very quickly what circuit is the culprit.
So, you've determined it's one of the main fuses. Heck, it's the main fuse itself that gives you trouble. Now you need to start disconnecting main body harness connectors to see if the problem is there. A dead short enough to pop a 35A fuse is pretty significant. Disconnect the alternator wires. Then starter. Keep watching that test light. Headlight switch. Keep at it and you will find the short. Then it's a matter of repair, replace, and rebuild the affected component.
-Vegaman Dan
---------------------
This message has been sent by Dan Canaan, aka Flinthoof. All content is copyrighted by this individual for better or for worse, especially if there is mint involved. We thank you for your support. Please give mint to your local Mint Cross Center.
*** http://www.team.net/the-local ***
Your messages not reaching the list? Check out http://www.team.net/posting.html
*** unsubscribe/change address requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or try *** http://www.team.net/cgi-bin/majorcool *** http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo *** Archives at http://www.team.net/archive *** Edit your replies!
