My 73 produced a loud bang / crack noise yesterday and immediately died.
Upon opening the engine bay, we found the main power wire from the battery to the starter motor had been shaken from its clip and had fallen onto the manifold.
Result is that the outer cover melted through leaving the exposed cooper wire touching the block.
I therefore assume that this has caused some sort of short, however my knowledge of auto-electrics could be written on one half of a split atom.
We disconnected the battery in case any thing went even more pear shaped, then had a quick look.
With the only visible problem being the exposed wires, we moved it away from the block (which caused few individual wires to break), wrapped it in insulating tape, cable tied it out of the way, re-connected the battery and tried to start.
Nothing.
No click, nothing.
Bump starting worked fine, so we carried on and made sure we didn't stall going up hill. We had to move on, other wise we risked a night in the middle of nowhere with no phone reception, and the nearest road being over 30kms away.
Whilst travelling, the battery charge indicator read higher than normal (battery is only 3 months old and fully charged). It read around 14.5 rather than around 13.
However, when using the electric windows, indicators, high beams, driving lights, the headlights dim noticeably, before re-gaining normal output.
When arriving at a junction, as the revs drop, the lights dim right down, then the revs drop below normal idle, so I either had to use the hand throttle, or just keep revving (which is awkward if braking at the same time!).
My uneducated guess is that either the starter motor is stuffed (despite only being 9 months old), or there is a fuse blown.
I don't know where to find the fuses that might connect to the starter motor if this is the problem.
The truck is presently sitting outside the mechanics awaiting repair, however if i can manage to sort this out myself, I'd like to.
Of course, if there is something else to consider, please let the ideas flow!!
Thanks for reading
MY02
Upon opening the engine bay, we found the main power wire from the battery to the starter motor had been shaken from its clip and had fallen onto the manifold.
Result is that the outer cover melted through leaving the exposed cooper wire touching the block.
I therefore assume that this has caused some sort of short, however my knowledge of auto-electrics could be written on one half of a split atom.
We disconnected the battery in case any thing went even more pear shaped, then had a quick look.
With the only visible problem being the exposed wires, we moved it away from the block (which caused few individual wires to break), wrapped it in insulating tape, cable tied it out of the way, re-connected the battery and tried to start.
Nothing.
No click, nothing.
Bump starting worked fine, so we carried on and made sure we didn't stall going up hill. We had to move on, other wise we risked a night in the middle of nowhere with no phone reception, and the nearest road being over 30kms away.
Whilst travelling, the battery charge indicator read higher than normal (battery is only 3 months old and fully charged). It read around 14.5 rather than around 13.
However, when using the electric windows, indicators, high beams, driving lights, the headlights dim noticeably, before re-gaining normal output.
When arriving at a junction, as the revs drop, the lights dim right down, then the revs drop below normal idle, so I either had to use the hand throttle, or just keep revving (which is awkward if braking at the same time!).
My uneducated guess is that either the starter motor is stuffed (despite only being 9 months old), or there is a fuse blown.
I don't know where to find the fuses that might connect to the starter motor if this is the problem.
The truck is presently sitting outside the mechanics awaiting repair, however if i can manage to sort this out myself, I'd like to.
Of course, if there is something else to consider, please let the ideas flow!!
Thanks for reading
MY02
