blew that famous 75a fuse... after wires melted

[Walperstyle]

So, with the fun of my 3rd 240 that I'm building I ran into some *joy *(censored) As to why the fuse would go after the wires have melted !!!


issue: car starts up fine, lights work, but do not open, lost all gauges in my dash including the clock and radio.

With the car turned off, I figured i'd replace the 75a fuse. POP

so now two fuses are toast and upon further inspection the alternator wires and the one that goes down low to the power steering have been burned.

ideas?

EDIT:

IMAGES ARE VERY HIGH RES
http://www.jameswalper.com/other/forum/SKETCHY1.jpg
http://www.jameswalper.com/other/forum/SKETCHY2.jpg

[aNskY]

the little plastic clip under the hot alternator wire is broken. you need to seperate the wire from the alt housing or it will ground out. a plastic washer (or 4) will work

[Walperstyle]

the burnt wires are the ones attached to the 2 part plug, the clip wasnt broken. (well it is now i suppose) and I could rewire it again, however whats got me conderned that it melted that set of wires and the ones that went down into the power steering (i'm guessing thats a temp sensor or some kind of pointless plug being its not attached on my other 240). also, the ground wire on the back of the alternator has one of those spacer's too to keep it from grounding. I hope thats correct.

Should I source a completely different wire harness, or you think I should do some taking apart and mad scientist work?

[Walperstyle]

another question: Under the intake on the SOHC engine, there is a plug with 2 vaccum hoses. What is that? I have searched the FSM (hardcopy I have) and it doesnt have really anything I can refer to, I'll post a picture in a second.

IMAGES ARE VERY HIGH RES
http://www.jameswalper.com/other/forum/SKETCHY1.jpg
http://www.jameswalper.com/other/forum/SKETCHY2.jpg

[Walperstyle]

i think now's the time I start asking if anyone has a perfect SOHC harness laying around.

advice: NEVER BUY A CAR THAT HAS CUT WIRES AND BROKEN CONNECTIONS, even though you think you got it fixed, chances are something will f'up

[Walperstyle]

So that vaccum system looks like the EGR solonoid... can I do-away with that all together and stick with trying to fix my harness near the alternator?