Electrical testing after rewire...

Tech tips and how to's

Moderators: notoptoy, S Allen, Solex68

Post Reply
User avatar
jonny8
Roadster Fanatic
Posts: 151
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2014 11:36 am
Location: Belmont, CA

Electrical testing after rewire...

Post by jonny8 »

Just to summarize the adventures I have been having.

First. Battery strap broke, shorting out the engine compartment. New harness needed, alternator and regulator.

Second: I fitted the battery back to front, so when I tested, I blew the cockpit hardness and Ammeter.

So, I have a two new harnesses, new ammeter etc. I was super careful to label everything as I took it apart and put it together the same way.

Now, before the car is blown up a third time... what a reasonable testing plan so that I can verify

a) I have not crossed a connection causing another burn out
b) I will not blow the ammeter when its in the circuit
c) Any of the other components have not been fried (various voltage regulators, resistors etc.)

Any wisdom greatly accepted, including don't make those mistakes again!

Thanks

-Alvin
1965 Roadster 1600
User avatar
Nissanman
Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
Posts: 3347
Joined: Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:07 pm
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Model: 1500/1600
Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5
Contact:

Re: Electrical testing after rewire...

Post by Nissanman »

Connect a headlamp globe or some other high wattage globe in series with the battery negative post and the battery cable. Any shorts will illuminate the globe but not cause dangerous current to flow. The test lamp won't allow you to crank the engine but if a high enough wattage it will allow you to test your switches and harness OK.
If you followed your labeling and referred to the schematic for any queries then shorts may not be an issue but opens might be if connectors and pushed home completely.
I used carbon grease on all of my contacts to assist in making good contact. It is conductive so don't spread it all over, just a smear on the metal contacts is sufficient.



Image

"Lubricates and improves electrical and thermal connections between sliding surfaces, while providing protection from moisture & corrosion."
Nissanman, just trying to help.
1965 SP310 Engine No. G-93326 Car No. SP310-10817
https://photos.shutterfly.com/album/60141836519
On the road again!
C.Costine
Roadster Nut-Site Supporter
Posts: 1731
Joined: Fri Feb 13, 2015 8:08 pm

Re: Electrical testing after rewire...

Post by C.Costine »

You could test it in segments. I powered my dash up with a lawn and garden tractor battery to test just the lights, including the map light. Doing segments you don't have to be trying to watch everything at once and worrying about doing a lot of damage at once.

IMG_1306.JPG
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
located in Chester NH
1967 1600 in restoration
2013 Arctic Cat F-1100 turbo
Ford F-350 6.0
Ford 9000 puller, Ford 960 puller, Ford 901show, Ford 971 worker, Oliver 70 waiting its turn
User avatar
nismou20
Roadsteraholic
Posts: 1485
Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2005 2:16 pm
Location: Pasadena, Ca

Re: Electrical testing after rewire...

Post by nismou20 »

Might add a 30 amp fuse inline before the Amp gauge now. Many have sacrificed a amp gauge as a fuse!
2004 Chevy Tracker
2010 RAV4
1969 Datsun Roadster
2005 Lotus Elise
1995 Toyota Tercel (Poormans Corolla)
2001 Fleetwood Jamboree RV
User avatar
Curtis
Site Supporter
Posts: 4049
Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 2:49 pm
Location: Des Moines, WA
Model: 1500/1600
Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5

Re: Electrical testing after rewire...

Post by Curtis »

Will these help? Ignore most of the wire gauge call outs, I need to fix them.

http://www.kendo-usa.org/datsun/datsun_ ... _66_67.pdf

http://www.kendo-usa.org/datsun/datsun_ ... _66_67.pdf
66 stroker, almost done.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
User avatar
jonny8
Roadster Fanatic
Posts: 151
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2014 11:36 am
Location: Belmont, CA

Re: Electrical testing after rewire...

Post by jonny8 »

@curtis

Yup - found those on the Tech Wiki and checking off. I also found your Fuse Block diagram for 1966-67... the only difference I have is there i no Yellow gauge wire from the harness into the fuse box as indicated. I need to check the other diagrams for this wire... but I certainly don't have one!

-Alvin
1965 Roadster 1600
User avatar
jonny8
Roadster Fanatic
Posts: 151
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2014 11:36 am
Location: Belmont, CA

Re: Electrical testing after rewire...

Post by jonny8 »

nismou20 wrote: Sun Feb 17, 2019 8:34 pm Might add a 30 amp fuse inline before the Amp gauge now. Many have sacrificed a amp gauge as a fuse!
Add me to that list :-(
1965 Roadster 1600
User avatar
Curtis
Site Supporter
Posts: 4049
Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 2:49 pm
Location: Des Moines, WA
Model: 1500/1600
Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5

Re: Electrical testing after rewire...

Post by Curtis »

jonny8 wrote: Mon Feb 18, 2019 7:48 pm @curtis

Yup - found those on the Tech Wiki and checking off. I also found your Fuse Block diagram for 1966-67... the only difference I have is there i no Yellow gauge wire from the harness into the fuse box as indicated. I need to check the other diagrams for this wire... but I certainly don't have one!

-Alvin
The yellow wire is spliced on in the dash harness. You're welcome to take all the tape off your nice new harness if you want to see it.
66 stroker, almost done.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
User avatar
Curtis
Site Supporter
Posts: 4049
Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 2:49 pm
Location: Des Moines, WA
Model: 1500/1600
Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5

Re: Electrical testing after rewire...

Post by Curtis »

66 stroker, almost done.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
User avatar
jonny8
Roadster Fanatic
Posts: 151
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2014 11:36 am
Location: Belmont, CA

Re: Electrical testing after rewire...

Post by jonny8 »

Curtis wrote: Mon Feb 18, 2019 8:19 pm
jonny8 wrote: Mon Feb 18, 2019 7:48 pm @curtis

Yup - found those on the Tech Wiki and checking off. I also found your Fuse Block diagram for 1966-67... the only difference I have is there i no Yellow gauge wire from the harness into the fuse box as indicated. I need to check the other diagrams for this wire... but I certainly don't have one!

-Alvin
The yellow wire is spliced on in the dash harness. You're welcome to take all the tape off your nice new harness if you want to see it.
I liked your updated diagram much better than removing tape!
1965 Roadster 1600
User avatar
Mackn367
Site Supporter
Posts: 518
Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2018 3:38 pm
Location: Orange County, CA
Model: 1500/1600
Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5
Contact:

Re: Electrical testing after rewire...

Post by Mackn367 »

+ 1 on adding amp fuse. They are pretty cheap and definitely a lot easier to replace than any other part. Sorry that happened to you ughh... oh and do you have a voltage regulator/tester? That might help in the future too for electrical testing.
Nick
1967.5 Roadster 1600
VIN: SPL311-13038
Orange County, CA
User avatar
Linda
Fraternal Den Mother-RIP
Posts: 7807
Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 11:37 pm
Location: Los Angeles
Model: 1500/1600
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Re: Electrical testing after rewire...

Post by Linda »

Nissanman, Does carbon grease reduce carbon tracking in a distributor? I am going to try to find some for connections like you recommended.
Linda
Sadly-Linda has passed away 2022. She was the 311's den mother and drove the first Rare-Parts ball joint project. RIP.
User avatar
Nissanman
Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
Posts: 3347
Joined: Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:07 pm
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Model: 1500/1600
Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5
Contact:

Re: Electrical testing after rewire...

Post by Nissanman »

No, carbon grease is a conductive lubricant, not suited to that purpose.
I used it to make sure all my 50+ Y.O. connectors did indeed connect :shock: :shock:

If the distributor cap is tracking internally I would try a wax and grease remover or renew the cap.
Nissanman, just trying to help.
1965 SP310 Engine No. G-93326 Car No. SP310-10817
https://photos.shutterfly.com/album/60141836519
On the road again!
Post Reply