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 Post subject: Fried every hot wire
PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 5:58 pm 
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i got my rail out today and about a half mile after driving i smelled something burning. so i busted ass back to my shop to find wires smoking and sparks flying so i turned the d@mn thing off. but it kept on sparking and it fired up my starter it wouldnt stop. i flipped out grabbed some pliers and started pulling wires so i didnt have a fire or fry my brand new high torque starter and brand new coil.
What could possibly cause this mess? a short? a switch out?

i didnt wire it up and whoever did didnt do a very good job and theres not one water proof connector. maybe it was a bad connection but i would aprecite any help

i am in the process of rewiring it now. like a professional. :D


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 Post subject: Re: Fried every hot wire
PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:18 pm 
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Wired for street ? Engine a vw ?
It's a short somewhere for sure !

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 Post subject: Re: Fried every hot wire
PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:08 pm 
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Where u from just asking?

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 Post subject: Re: Fried every hot wire
PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:12 pm 
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The biggest issue I have seen over the years is under size wire and fusing of the electrical system. I see so many buggys with a single breaker at the battery and all circuits being fed from it. There should be at least 4 circuits, headlights, tail lights, Ignition and accessarys. A number 16 or 14 wire will melt the insulation off and cause a short way before a 30 amp breaker at the battery will trip. Food for thought!

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 Post subject: Re: Fried every hot wire
PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:23 pm 
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its air cooled not wired for street. it has tail lights and head light but their not hooked up to be key hot


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 Post subject: Re: Fried every hot wire
PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:29 pm 
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its air cooled not wired for street. it has tail lights and head light but their not hooked up to be key hot


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 Post subject: Re: Fried every hot wire
PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:30 pm 
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im from hamilton ohio but its a 1641 vw


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 Post subject: Re: Fried every hot wire
PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:33 pm 
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Odyknuck wrote:
The biggest issue I have seen over the years is under size wire and fusing of the electrical system. I see so many buggys with a single breaker at the battery and all circuits being fed from it. There should be at least 4 circuits, headlights, tail lights, Ignition and accessarys. A number 16 or 14 wire will melt the insulation off and cause a short way before a 30 amp breaker at the battery will trip. Food for thought!



thanks. it has 13 ga wire on it i bought 10 i think that should do it


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 Post subject: Re: Fried every hot wire
PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:45 pm 
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I always see people using heavier gauge wire for lights but look at the size on the cars from factory ...
I would rewire the buggy so ya know what ya have .
Ac is aimple to wire and head and taillights are also !
The switches should not be the problem because normally when they hoe bad is just the contacts .
Which wires melted the coating ?

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 Post subject: Re: Fried every hot wire
PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:15 pm 
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might have a hot wire grounding out on frame somewhere....corroded switch from sitting?

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 Post subject: Re: Fried every hot wire
PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:40 pm 
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do you start the buggy with ignition switch? if so maybe the ignition switch went bad! something caused that starter to stay engaged!at least you live close to drews if you need parts!! let us know what you find

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 Post subject: Re: Fried every hot wire
PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:50 pm 
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All of my buggies have one of those copper throw bars or big battery disconnects for just such emergencies mounted within reach.Great for disconnecting the battery for welding also.


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 Post subject: Re: Fried every hot wire
PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:07 pm 
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I am a big fan of using Marine Breakers for all of my vehicle wiring and a Mast breaker for the main ignition.

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 Post subject: Re: Fried every hot wire
PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:47 pm 
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Wire run thru tubing add vibration and you have all the ingredients for a fire. A few fuses can save you a weekend.

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 Post subject: Re: Fried every hot wire
PostPosted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 2:00 pm 
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diamonddav wrote:
do you start the buggy with ignition switch? if so maybe the ignition switch went bad! something caused that starter to stay engaged!at least you live close to drews if you need parts!! let us know what you find



When a short happens in a wiring harness, the insulation on one or more wires melts and +12 volts comes in contact with the other wire(s). In this case it was the starter solinoid wire.

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 Post subject: Re: Fried every hot wire
PostPosted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 8:11 pm 
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Rewired everything used 14 ga wire
Everything checks out good. starts like a champ.
Im positive the cause of everything was a loose ground. theres all kinds of rust and corrosion on the ground off of the battery. but not any more!

Thanks everybody


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 Post subject: Re: Fried every hot wire
PostPosted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 10:16 pm 
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just a suggestion but I always ground the battery to the trans nose mount or the trans it will save you if your Chassis ground gets dirty. Your throttle cable will thank you.

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 Post subject: Re: Fried every hot wire
PostPosted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 6:22 pm 
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Red Barron wrote:
just a suggestion but I always ground the battery to the trans nose mount or the trans it will save you if your Chassis ground gets dirty. Your throttle cable will thank you.



i was thinking about that the ground for the battery is way up in the front end of the frame and where it counts is the engine im definately going to get the ground closer to the rear of the frame somewhere on the trans sounds like a good spot


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