So I was doing some work on my Skylark- water pump, timing cover, oil pump, timing set, etc. As I was starting the project, I forgot to disconnect the battery, and during disassembly, the alternator swung down and the positive post shorted against the engine. It sparked and smoked until I got the alternator lifted back up and the battery disconnected. Fast forward to the end of the timing set/cover/water pump project. Everything is put back together but the electrical system is dead: no dash lights, dome lights, won’t crank. I’m wondering where I should start first to find the part that I smoked. Did I kill the voltage regulator, the alternator? Is there a master fuse or fusible link under the hood that I should look for? I feel pretty dumb at this point - how many times do I need to learn to disconnect the damn battery?!?
You smoked the fusible link. I bet the headlight work though! At the starter, you have two fusible links. They protect the electrical system from shorts between the battery and the fuse block. A fusible link is essentially a short piece of wire that 4 sizes smaller than the wire its protecting. There are two in your car- a 14 ga link that protects a 10 ga red wire and a 16ga that protects a 12 ga red wire. Theyre available at most auto parts stores. I'll see if I can find my thread about them and link it here for you
I didn’t think to test the headlights! That will be my next step. Followed by finding and replacing the burnt up fusible link. I presume that this is a typical NAPA type item? Glad it’s unlikely to be a dead alternator
Napa should have them. You'll have to figure out which one you need though- 14 or 16. I forget which one controls what offhand. One thing that you'll find out is that the link will have a blue crimp (butt) connector on the end which will be completely useless to you. You can't fit a 10 ga wire into a blue connector. You'll need whats called a step down butt connector. One side of the connector will fit a 14-16 ga wire and the other end will fit a 10-12 ga wire. See if Napa can get you a package of those.
That is super helpful! Thank you! I should have a chance to get back in to work on it in a day or two. I’ll post what I find.
You smoked fusible link to the larger feed wire (10 gauge), so you need a 14 gauge fusible link. The larger feed wire supplies the entire car with the exception of the headlights. The smaller feed wire (12 gauge) feeds the headlights.
Bill, thanks for the link to your write up. Nice, clear and concise. Since my car is several years later, it appears to have the routing through the motor mount that you described. It was not immediately evident to me how to access the wiring. Any tips or hints on how to get to the wires?
Or he can leave the starter in place and remove the wiring off it. Then remove the wiring gutter under the motor mount (two 1/4-20 bolts) and pull the wiring harness through to the front of the engine. That way you don't have to work on it in place on your back. I'd bet the wiring harness is all greasy too, so you can degrease it all, inspect it more thoroughly and re-tape it all.
With a stock starter, it is not easy getting up there. Not much room to disconnect the wiring. With my Robb Mc mini starter, it's easy. Not so with a stocker.
That's how Ive always done it. The harness isn't long enough to install the wires first, then bolt it in. 1/4" drive ratchet does the trick here. Its not that bad to do
