fuse blowing problem

Hey guys,

So I'm having some electrical issues with the '68 Plymouth Satellite that I've had for 1 yr. When I first got the car, the previous owner showed me under the hood where he had wired in an inline 30A two prong green fuse. One end goes to the starter relay and the other end to the bulkhead connector. About every 3rd or 4th time I try to start the car that green fuse blows and the starter won't even crank - no clicking, nothing. He said it just keeps happening and to keep some fuses on hand. There's got to be something wrong here. Last year I replaced the under dash harness with a better condition original from another '68 and I replaced the harness for the electronic ignition module silver box with a brand new harness. Still having this issue.

Do you think I just have a loose wire in the bulk-head connector?

If so, what's the best way to confirm this and fix it? Do I have to track down a new bulk-head connector? (which may not be easy). I haven't seen any that have the wires already plugged straight into it like mine appears to be.

The fuse wire goes from the BAT terminal of the relay to the middle plug on the bulkhead connector? This would normally be the fusible link but it sounds like the guy added a fuse instead. That's OK if it's done properly. If it only blows the fuse in cranking mode (IGN switch all the way over to the right against spring pressure) and not in the ON/RUN or ACC position then I suspect you have something going to ground in the control circuit of the relay. Try disconnecting the yellow or gray wire on the angled pin on the relay and repeat the procedure. If the fuse doesn't blow then I'd say you have a starter relay issue. Replace the relay. If it still blows then you might have a short somewhere up the line leading to the IGN switch.

I rewired my Bee to the wiring mods found on the madelectrical site,including the headlight relay upgrade,reducing excessive current flow through the bulkhead connector

http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml

I rewired my Bee to the wiring mods found on the madelectrical site,including the headlight relay upgrade,reducing excessive current flow through the bulkhead connector

http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml

Great article...Thanks for posting!

thanks for the quick feedback guys! That's some thorough and awesome info. Thanks for the help. Electrical is not my forte so it will likely take me some time to try these solutions and I'll be working in-between rain delays, but I'll keep you posted in the coming months.

68 sport satellite

I rewired my Bee to the wiring mods found on the madelectrical site,including the headlight relay upgrade,reducing excessive current flow through the bulkhead connector

http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml

That was an awesome article! I always knew that the amp meter was not a good thing, but didn't know how to by-pass it...now i do!!! Thanks!!! :grin: