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MG MGB Technical - Wiring Short???

After 5 long weekends, i have finally finished rewiring my 78B. Before I put the battery in I checked for continuity between the positive lead and ground. I found that I am registering continuity. I am wondering if this is normal, because of the starter ect...?? Or do I actually have a short in the system?? Seems like a silly question, but i wan't to be sure and not fry out my new harness!
Thanks!
Steve G

Steve...Are all electrical switches in the off position? headlights interior lamps, wiper, etc. The battery does not get connected to the starter until you turn the key and the solenoid is engaged.
Oh, the electric clock, if you have one, will show continuity all the time, what about your car stereo? I would not connect up until you are sure there are no direct shorts. You could run a test lamp in series with one of the battery leads to prevent a wiring fire until you find the source of the short. The lamp will current limit and keep things safe.
Keep us posted
Steven Brooks

Steve - when you have checked out al of the things that Steven Brooks has noted, hook up the positive leade to your battery and then hook up the ground lead through a 5 - 10 amp fuse. This is sufficiently low to blow before any wires are damaged if there are any direct shorts. If the fuse doesn't blow, hook an ammeter in line with the ground leadand see what king of current is being drawn. anything less that about 25 milliamps is ok. If the current is greater that 25 milliamps, you should start disconnecting various circuits untill you find what is drawing the excessive current and repair it. God luck - Dave
David DuBois

Thanks for all the help! After hooking up the battery, i found the second fuse from the bottom had blown. I tracked it down to the Tach, and found i had it wired wrong. After fixing that The car started up and ran fine! It took 5 weekend to complete the rewire, but it was definetlly worth it. I also found that the new wiring stopped the run-on problem i had also.
Thanks for the help!
Steve
Steve G

This thread was discussed between 24/02/2002 and 25/02/2002

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