27/07/2022
Prior to arriving and commencing work on this beast, I was informed by the owner that he had the issue it was having, diagnosed by another Auto Electrician, who said âThere is a fault in the Main Harnessâ.
Upon arrival the owner also informed me that it was in a No-start condition and that he had removed the connection to the Battery, as he kept flattening his batteries.
Instead of questioning the other Auto Electricianâs diagnosis, I just assumed it was accurate and I began testing for confirmation, in the engine bay.
Upon reconnection of the + Battery Terminal, I noticed it was sparking a fair bit and it also started heating up⊠Barely a moment had passed, when I noticed a plethoras of smoke coming from the main fuse box and also filling the cab, like a smoke gr***de, luckily I hadnât fastened the battery terminal and I was still able to disconnect it, at that moment.
It turns out the Main Harness was not the issue, not by any means at all, in fact the issue was simply just a short circuit, under the carpet, in the foot well and it was created by a water leak, which found its way to where the short circuit occurred.
The reason why this issue became so out of hand is because the wiring to blame for the short, had been joined in a low point and it wasnât insulated properly, which led to the two currents being able to make contact, when the water leaked in and in any normal instance, where a stock or aftermarket component faults, or has a short circuit, there is a fuse link, which breaks and protects the component, but also prevents any further damage, though unluckily for old mate, the dodgy bloke who owned the car prior to him, had done all his own auto electrical work and well, besides not using a fuse for some spotlight wiring and just general reluctance for commonsense, he did a really terrible job..
Luckily for old mate, I was able to remove and replace all the vehicles damaged wiring, to have the car completely operating like it should be, with all the extra added circuits now fuse protected and installed appropriately
Vehicle: 2004 F250 (Super Duty)