re: [alfa] fun with electricals

[Bruce Giller <bgiller@xxxxxxxxx>]

Stacy,

	I had this similar problem in my '86 Spider and I used the bigger-is-better approach to the fuse...only to have all the
smoke come out of the wires in the trunk!  And then I had no brake lights...and a charred, melted, mess to contend with.
 I did get good at splicing in new wiring in tight places.

	But it did pinpoint the problem.  In the trunk, the rear wires are routed along the driver's side.  And sometimes the
bundle passes thru holes in the sheet metal (see where I'm going??).  And after time, the sharp edges of these sheet
metal holes wear off the insulation to where you get a short...then a blown fuse.  

	So my advice is to, don't put in any more fuses and inspect every inch of the wires in the trunk for worn insulation;
sometimes you'll see the arcing damage on the sheet metal first.  You'll have to inspect all sides of the wires, bend
the wires to expose any wear because the hole in the insulation can be quite small.

	Good luck!

	Bruce

	'86 Spider
	'73 GTV
  
> Car: '87 Spider
>  
> Condition: Had not been driven for 4 weeks due to owner malfunction (broken ankle).
>  
> Pre-Condition Status: All systems functional.
>  
> This Morning's Status:  Rear passenger-side brake light non-functional.
>  
> Repair Attempt:  First step was to remove the light bulb, clean the contacts, and 
> inspect bulb for damage.  Bulb was burnt out.  Replaced bulb, re-assembled lamp
> assembly and test brake light function.
>  
> Result:  No brake lights at all are functioning.  Also, interior clock numbers have
> vanished, although clock backlight is still working.  
>  
> Next Repair Attempt:  After consulting the Holy Wiring Diagram of Alfa, it was determined
> that both circuts ran through vertical fuse #4 (that is, the 4th one from the left) on the
> under-dash fuse box.  Upon inspection of said fuse, it appeared to have burnt through.  
> Replaced said fuse.  Clock numbers appeared again.  Depressed brake pedal. 
> Passenger side brake light still not functioning, but driver side was.  Released brake 
> pedal.   Heard the familiar "pop" of a fuse blowing.  Checked fuse.  Burnt hand on hot
> fuse, swore a bit, then took it out.  Threw said fuse at wall.  
> Re-checked passenger side brake lamp bulb.  IT DID NOT BLOW!!!!
> Tried a 25 amp fuse, just for fun.  It burnt out also, got quite a bit hotter than the 10 amp
> fuse, and was consequently thrown about 10 mph faster into the wall.  
>  
> Current Status:  I'm icing my shoulder (can't be too careful...), and I have no further ideas
> on where to look for problems.  Something is obviously shorting out....I don't believe it 
> to be the clock, since it was working fine this morning, when the brake light was out.
> I can't see any issues with the lamp connector or holder....the wiring looks good, and 
> since the lamp bulb did not burn out when the fuse did, I'm thinking that mabye the
> problem is somewhere else.......but where??????
>  
> Any ideas will be highly prized and your name might possibly be immortalized in the
> Hall of the Great Alfa Electrical Gremlin Conquering Heros.
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