302 wont start

[ford_302]

so i was driving to school today when my 89 302 died. i pulled over and there was a little smoke from under the hood, i opened the hood and i can smell hot wires...i blew a fuse link, we towed it home, cut the fuse link out and put an in line fuse in... now when i try to start, let alone turn the radio on, i keep blowing the fuse. and i checked all the under dash fuses and theyre all good... could it be a bad ground? the only thing electrical that works are headlights dome light and 4 ways...i need help fast! its my daily driver and im about to buy a chevy

 

[Justshootme84]

Since you blew the fuse link and keep blowing the replacement, you have a short in the ignition circuit. Look for a spot where an exposed part of wire is sparking to the frame or body. In my case on the 84, it was under the carpet below the passenger seat. The previous owner had run a power wire to the center console, and it actually welded to the floor where it shorted out and burned the carpet. i would start at the battery and starter solenoid, then work back to the dash to trace the short. JSM84

 

[ford_302]

ok ill try that, would replacing the ground wire help at all? since it is britle, dry, cracked, and where it bolts to the motor mount wires are breaking

 

[Justshootme84]

Replacing the old ground wire from the battery will help with starting, but it may not be what's blowing the fuse/ fusable link.

 

[BroncoJoe19]

You stated "let alone turn on the radio"

that it blows the fuse.

I would look in that circuit first.

I'd be willing to bet that the radio is not original equipment and that someone butchered the wiring installing an aftermarket unit.

JSM's suggestions ofcourse are right on target. IF the problem is not real obvious, you may try disconnecting portions of the circuit to narrow down where the short is. BTW... I agree with JSM, the problem is not likely a bad ground. But if you see that it is ratty, and should be replaced, then it should be replaced.

Good luck.

joe

 

[ford_302]

ok so after looking at chiltons ignition wire diagram i started at the ignition coild and sure enough thier is a single wire that has a plug in the middle... the wire backed out of its crimp and was grounding out on the oil dip stick tube, cut and splice and it runs just fine

 

[Seabronc]

Thanks for the report on what the problem was, it may help someone else in the future.

Good luck,

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