Short Fuse

[thor64]

Hi just read the very informative post 'Fuse Rating' dated Dec 29th by Rover Fanatic. I now know how the fuse box is supposed to be wired, what each fuse controls and what the fuse size should be. However (see pic attached) in an ideal world my Mk11 C fuse box should look the same. I seem to be missing a purple wire on the 1 and 2 position and I don't know what the white wire is doing on the green wires?

 I keep getting a "blow" (short) on the 1 and 2 position interior lights, cigar lighters and clock. Any help will be gratefully received

[enigmas]

You have 2 options:
Either,

1. Stop smoking cigars in the car.

or

2. Trace each circuit to locate the issue

[thor64]

Hi I have three lovely Alvaro Saludos cigars waiting to be smoked. I have just purchased a DC short circuit detector which might help. I am still wondering about the way my fuse holder is wired. 

[Phil Nottingham]

The White cable is unfused supply via Ignition switch via the fuse to Green ignition ON accessories which is correct A3-A4

The Brown wire is is unfused Battery supply and Purple is Fused permanent accessories eg Clock and Interior lights which are A1-A2

Red is fused lighting via the light switch

Ours is a Mk2c auto and looks as in the photo - the empty spare is for the overdrive on manual 3 Litre Mk2s

[thor64]

Hi, thanks for the information, I followed the white cable and found it went to nothing, that is it was not connected. The red fused lighting via the light switch is still to be followed. Good to know that the bottom 7/8 is supposed to be empty on auto box's. I was tempted to put the white wire there. All I need to do now is find out where it is shorting out. Anyone used a short circuit detector before? A very unproductive day seem to get nowhere

[stirlingmg]

If you’ve got a wiring diagram, follow it & disconnect everything connected to that fuse, pop a fuse in & assuming it doesn’t blow straight away (which would indicate a wire rubbed through) then start reconnecting things until it pops, you have then found your fault🙂

[djm16]

The clock is a common source of short circuiting, to the extent that I have wired mine with an inline fuse hidden behind the dash.

[thor64]

Hi, all this information is very useful. As you might guess I am waiting on a delivery of 35 amp fuses. I am peeved that the blown fuses were original Lucas ones. You might think its going too far trying to keep to original fuses.  Hopefully will be able to get replacements. I will look at the clock first. 

[Ken Nelson]

Here's a picture of my MkIIC fusebox with manual and overdrive transmission.

Attachments:

[thor64]

Hi thanks for the photo. I can now see the difference. I am wondering if the second purple wire is for the under the bonnet lights? If so it would give me the two purple wires in the top position.

[Ken Nelson]

Yes, that 2nd purple wire is indeed for the under bonnet lamps.

[thor64]

I finally got around to tracing the short to discover, on one of the courtesy lights, a bare purple touching a stripped black. Now all courtesy lights are working. Also when I detached the clock the short went away and stayed away when reconnected, I bad connection? No more short.