Where do I start looking for an electrical short?

1981 FORD F-100
130,000 MILES
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TEETANS
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A couple of weeks ago, we were FINALLY able to pass emissions for our F-100. Since then, however, our headlights & dashlights started going out. On my boyfriend's way to work, one of the 20amp fuses caught fire, fell to the floor board, then melted. He had a "friend", who is supposedly a master mechanic, look at it, but only made the situation worse. We do have headlights now & occasional dashlights, but now we have no lights to the tach, no radio, & no heater. Although, the radio & heater are "luxuries" here in Arizona, I'm afraid if not properly tended to, this short could cause even bigger problems, or worse, the loss of our only transportation. We've asked a few shops nearby for an approximate price range on getting it fixed & the general quote has been $100/hr not including parts. Although, I'm sure their skills in this matter are worth that, we are on an EXTREMELY fixed income & no WAY can we afford those prices. I do have SOME knowledge of electrical, but a point the right direction would be MORE than greatly appreciated. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME!!

Tanya Worthen
Jan 27, 2012 at 6:03 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Hook up an ammeter inline with battery positive terminal cable disconnected do you have a reading of more than 30milliamps? if so you have a short somewhere, start removing fuses the one that drops the reading is the trouble circuit-Be advised it not an easy task to find a short circuit
Jan 27, 2012 at 6:18 PM
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CADIEMAN
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at this point we will need to know what this fuse is for.buy a test light and check the voltage on both sides of the fuses for power with the key on.u will need to start here
Jan 27, 2012 at 6:43 PM
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CJ MEDEVAC
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LETS HEAR ABOUT THE FUSE FIRE!

WHY DON'T YOU TAKE A REALLY NICE, IN FOCUS PIC OF THE FUSE BLOCK---MAYBE TWO PICS, ONE WITH A PENCIL POINT TO THE RECEPTACLE THAT THE "FLAMING FUSE" FELL OUT OF.

ALSO RESPOND BACK WITH ANY WIRING MODIFICATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE...SUCH AS FOG LIGHTS, "SUPER-DOOPER, LOOK AT MY BRIGHT BLUE LIGHTS"--HORNS--GISMOS--ETC

ANY OUT OF THE ORDINARY THINGS HAPPEN PRIOR?

ANY KINDA NOISES FROM THE ACTUAL LIGHT SWITCH WHEN ISSUE IS OCCURRING?

THE MEDIC
Jan 28, 2012 at 12:57 AM