Fellas, trying to sort out some of the wiring under the hood. (this is a new project car for me. I've never driven this car.) I hooked up a battery to the car, (made sure no wires touched any metal), to make sure all lights, dash lights, heater, ect.. work. When I did and turned the key on, a wire with material like insulation started to get hot. (under the hood). Now this wire comes from the main harness and T's off. One goes to the + side of the coil. (according to the previous owner who marked it with tape) Any idea what would make this wire get hot? Also noticed that there is no dash lights or blinkers. Could be a fuse, haven't checked yet. Also, is there a place on the web with a good wiring diagram? Thanks for any help shot my way! Craig
Thats because the wire isn't connected. When you start the car and the engine is running it wont get that hot. The way you have it now, it will just get hotter and hotter
Lets see what others chime in and say. The wire that splices off the wire in question, where do you have that connected to?
It gets pretty damn hot. I chased my tail with this several years ago in a 72. Wasted a lot of time :laugh:
Right now it's not connected to anything. The motor is out of the car. To help me understand, what is it putting resistance to? I've been out of the v8 world for a number of years. (been playing aircoold VW's)
To me, if a wire is getting it it's because it's a hot wire that got grounded some how! LOL Can you tell me what these wires go to? I got this car without a motor/trans. The previous owner labeled it +coil if I remember right.
Your best move would be to unplug the harness at the fuse box, unwrap the wires and check each wire for continuity. The resistance wire is to reduce the voltage going to the coil from twelve or more volts down to about nine volts. You can also purchase an excellent reproduction engine harness from M&H Wiring for reasonable money. A new harness will likely get you thru a lifetime without engine electrical issues + the wires have better insulation and conduction than forty five year old technology. Maybe all your dash lights are burned out or fuses blown or poor ground or ??
Matt, i'm definitely going to check all the fuses ect. and the wiring. Like I said, this is a new to me car so I have no idea of the history of it. I'm searching for a nice wiring schematic for it. Thanks for the help!
I think the resistance wire should not get hot if there is nothing connected. But there should be a second wire for coil+, its the Bypass for 12V while cranking, connected to starter Solenoid. Maybe this cable is grounded ? Its a 71 manual, but i hope 70 is same, page 68-19 https://www.teambuick.com/reference/library/71_chassis/files/68-b.php
I wouldn't think it should get that hot either. But what the heck do I know, that's why i'm asking! LOL That link just takes me to a page to buy it. Can't view it even though it says it's free.
if i go to site i can see the book below and can save a copy, do you have "Acrobat Reader" it is free and needed to open .pdf files
I know it won't help you today, but, ToddsGS, a board member here sells poster size wiring schematics... http://diecastmusclecars.com/dcmbuickdiagram.htm
Read this, http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.p...nd-HEI-System-function-tests-and-modification This wire is only needed with the points distributor. It should not get hot at all if it is connected to nothing, sounds like the wire is grounded somewhere.
