[jljmonky]

I searched and read all the instrument panel issue posts, I guarantee you it's not fuse number nine, because I keep blowing it!

89 Wrangler, 2.5 L.

I fried the fusible link for the alternator to the starter relay, replaced both (i tried to bypass the link to test the alternator and fried the starter relay). Jeep starts and runs fine but only the speedo works (fried the power ribbon for the clock too when i pulled out the cluster and shorted it). If both relays that are connected to the battery tray are disconnected the jeep obviously won't run but the fuse doesn't blow when I turn on the key. If either of them are plugged in the fuse will pop as soon as the key is turned on. I have not been able to find any shorts with a mulitmeter so far but I haven't ripped into the wire harnesses under the hood... if you want the rest of the frustrating story let me know, it's long and drawn out but this is the biggest part.

 

[jljmonky]

Bump

i'm on page three already! anyone have any ideas?

 

[Que89YJ]

Dead short, check the wires on the exaust header side. O2 sensor and fuel pump harness. Ill bet one of them is toasted.

 

[Que89YJ]

Also try removing all the wires off the starter solinoid and hooking them up one at a time. All your power is switched through it. One of them is going to point to where your problem is.

 

[jljmonky]

Alright, Que, that at least narrowed me down. I found that the green 18 ga (supposedly says the book) fusible link that connects to the starter solenoid and then feeds the fuel pump relay, ignition relay and then back to the ECU with all red wires and then feeds another red wire with white stripe is the culprit, but couldn't find any damage to the wires on the engine compartment side and all the harnesses look "good" under the dash (didn't completely pull it though). If the relays were bad would this be a symptom or do i need to be looking else where?

 

[Que89YJ]

There can be a short internal to a component. You need to isolate down to the component. Since you cooked the alternator starter fuseable link thats the first place to start. Disconnect the wiring to the alternator and check again. i dont have my wiring diagram with me but If that is the cicuit I think it is then it goes to all your essentials for starting and running(your asd circuit). Do you have and know how to use a multimeter?

 

[jljmonky]

a little. not that much but have a feeling i will be learning!

 

[Que89YJ]

Disconnect your battery and hook a multimeter up with one lead to the fuseable link that keeps blowing and the other to sheet metal on the body. Set the multimeter up to Ohms to measure resistance. You should see a short or a very low resistance since one of the circuits is shorted. Now its just a matter of disconnecting different loads until you see that reading go up to a high reading.(It should jump to several thousand ohms or higher).