1963 10 amp fuse keeps blowing or melting please help.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 10 amp fuse keeps blowing or melting please help.

Edward, good point. Yes possible a gauge is externally or internally
shorted.

Brad, pull the connectors one at a time using this procedure....

Disconnect the battery and use a ohm meter across the circuit. Pos to top (new)fuse either end, neg to clean ground point. You'll read very low ohms due to the short, maybe 2 or 3 or so. Start pulling temp & fuel gauge connectors, sender wire, etc one at a time, and post results.

One of them may be the culprit, if not, a harness wire is likely shorted to ground.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1963 10 amp fuse keeps blowing or melting please help.

The studs w/ the spades maybe rotated and grounding against the metal housing?

[Brad R.]

Re: 1963 10 amp fuse keeps blowing or melting please help.

Hi Edward,

I restored the cluster last summer in terms of restoring the face of the cluster. I disassembled the entire cluster. I cleaned up the gauges, back plates and rest of assembly parts as to leave the back of it as original and unrestored as possible. When I assembled it, i did try to keep a keen mind to all the parts that should be used relying on the AIM and online/forum articles. I purchases some replacement bushings and screws. The issue was present when I purchased the car and at that time it had, what I believe to be a very old harness if not the original harness in it. That harness did catch on fire and I was luckier than .... to catch the smoldering and replace ASAP. Since I restored the cluster I have been going by "the book" installing and connecting. There is always a chance that I missed the fiber or plastic washers. Can you reply with what you mean by 'studs'? I am not quite sure. Thanks.

Best,
Brad

[Brad R.]

Re: 1963 10 amp fuse keeps blowing or melting please help.

Hi Richard,

Thanks. I will work through this procedure tonight and report back on findings.

Best,
Brad

[Brad R.]

Re: 1963 10 amp fuse keeps blowing or melting please help.

Hi Edward,

Nice point. By studs are you referring to the gauge studs? Pardon the confusion. I will check the back of the cluster for this type of contact.

Best,
Brad

[Brad R.]

Re: 1963 10 amp fuse keeps blowing or melting please help.

Thanks Frank for the alert and direction on the light housing. I will purchase the correct repro.

Best,
Brad

[Brad R.]

Re: 1963 10 amp fuse keeps blowing or melting please help.

Hi All,

There does not seem to be a reply all and so I am replying to initial post for all to see for now. I am most thankful for everyone's quick and specific knowledge replies to my electrical issue. I took everyone's thoughts and direction, listed them and then organized by low hanging fruit to most complex. As it turns out, I started with the low hanging fruit which was the fuel tank sending unit connection disconnect to see if the fuse melts/ blows and the result was the fuse did not melt/blow with this part of the circuit being disconnected. Wow! I say wow because I did not consider this to begin with and only became aware of the notion from this group. FWIW, I took the opportunity to get some more facetime with my multimeter and ran through testing the other suggestions. I am going to reply again with a summary of the issue, the replies of concern, and the resolution so that others that search for this issue can see how this event turned out.

Best,
Brad

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 10 amp fuse keeps blowing or melting please help.

Brad by default when you reply to a thread/post using the "+ Reply To Thread" button it will be seen by everyone. A Reply within someone's Post has the same effect, only the order is changed but only based on which Display mode you use when reading them. Display Mode is shown within a Post in the upper right corner of the Thread just below the Thread Title.

So, You have found your problem... your Fuel Sender is at fault. Battery disconnected, i.e. IGN off, you can verify with your ohm meter between the Sender (Pink wire)Pin and Ground right on the sender. I suspect that internally the copper band to supply power has broken away from it's rivet and shorted to the pipe which is ground. I've seen it before. Scary place for a short. Also possible that the Sender Pin where the plug connects is shorted so check there too, but likely internal.

If there's fuel in the tank you'll have to pump it out. Any left over can be set to the left side of the tank by jacking the right rear of the car. If you haven't pulled a sender before check back in for the process.

Rich

[Brad R.]

Re: 1963 10 amp fuse keeps blowing or melting please help.

Hi Richard,

Thanks for the forum UI information. I see that button now.
I appreciate your insight on where the problem exist. I will definitely check back in for when I replace the sending unit!

Best,
Brad