Close Call (Fire)!

[Ponch ®]

So my buddy and I were trying to troubleshoot the Charger. After a couple of hours of work, we were ready to start it. We cranked it once or twice with the coil wire unplugged. THen we plugged it back in and went for it, hoping the car would start. Nothing - instead, we were treated to a bunch of smoke!

After putting out the potential fire, we started inspecting. We found a blue wire that runs from the alternator had completely melted! Unfortunately, this wire was taped together w/ other wires, so it took out a couple of them.  We don't know what caused the wire to melt (a short?) since we can't figure out where this wire goes, other than one end is at the alternator. Also, it only did it once we had connected the coil wire. Neither one of us has an acumen for electrical stuff, so we didn't want to mess w/ it any futher.

Anybody have any clue as to what this wire is or where it goes? If its a short - how can i trace it? What are my options - a new wiring harness? 

[Nacho-RT74]

trace is:

Ignition key, bulkhead, then a splice inside engine harness what feeds ballast, regulator, electrick choke source, ignition module and alt brush.

there is a section of wire between ign switch and bulkhead that also have a splice to feed stuff like seatbelt system, some buzzer, some stuff more and in fact does have one fuse asigned, But those hardly gets damage.

If I was you and apaprently noticeng the melting is on engine harness ( short melts first where did happen so I don't think comes from inisde ), I would start to chek if brush on alternator is isolated or isolator is broken OR wire arriving to alt brush, coul be broken and making a short with something around. Is not weird that with heat around, wire cover gets broken and makes contact with chassis.

Repair an engine harness is not hard, in fact IS PRETTY MUCH EASY BUT if you don't have the patiente, tools or hability, then get a new harness.

[Ponch ®]

trace is:

Ignition key, bulkhead, then a splice inside engine harness what feeds ballast, regulator, electrick choke source, ignition module and alt brush.

there is a section of wire between ign switch and bulkhead that also have a splice to feed stuff like seatbelt system, some buzzer, some stuff more and in fact does have one fuse asigned, But those hardly gets damage.

If I was you and apaprently noticeng the melting is on engine harness ( short melts first where did happen so I don't think comes from inisde ), I would start to chek if brush on alternator is isolated or isolator is broken OR wire arriving to alt brush, coul be broken and making a short with something around. Is not weird that with heat around, wire cover gets broken and makes contact with chassis.

Repair an engine harness is not hard, in fact IS PRETTY MUCH EASY BUT if you don't have the patiente, tools or hability, then get a new harness.

thanks Nacho!

I think I'd go w/ a new harness. I was searching on this site and apparently Evans Wiring makes a good inexpensive product.

I am kinda intimidated by the electrical stuff, but I'll see whether I can tackle it myself or have to find a professional to do it. Kinda discouraging, cuz even after that is fixed, I'll still have to diagnose the engine problem....

So Nacho...planning another trip out here soon? 

[BMOTOXSTAR]

Ponch my man,
   This was the weekend for fires. My 73' Rally caught on fire on Saturday.
I am posting a thread later today.

[Ponch ®]

Ponch my man,
   This was the weekend for fires. My 73' Rally caught on fire on Saturday.
I am posting a thread later today.

Sorry to hear that bro. I'm convinced my car is cursed. I don't touch it for 3 months and the day I finally decide to do some work, it nearly goes up in flames!