AUSTIN 16 BS1 just lost all electrical power?

[Kenhenryboy]

Hello everyone. My 16 has lost all electrical energy, although the battery is in good shape,

My engine is original, and still has a 12v dynamo.

I cannot find any blown fuses, and there is no evidence of overheated wires.

Could it be a lost earth connection? Any ideas anyone?

 

[number5]

Can it be presumed that the car will not start?  Do all the light work.  With the voltage,  as a start, what is the battery voltage with the engine switched off, and then running.

Regards-Peter

[Kenhenryboy]

Hi Peter,

The whole car was completely dead, electrically.

I had 13V at the battery and solenoid but while I was checking those I found another supplementary fuse box had been fitted, a bit tucked away, and sure enough there was a blown fuse. It was a 15A. The cable in and out are at least 2.5mm2, so I will be up rating the fuse to 20A.

Looking back on it, I had all the electrical components ‘on’ indicators, semaphore trafficators, fan and when I braked, the  brake lights proved to be  the last straw, and that blew the fuse.

I have learned more about my old car, obviously the supp. fuse box is not original.

Thank you for your interest, and for your help.

Kind regards, Ken

[PJS]

I’d proceed with some caution when uprating the fuse – if the old one had blown, then there was presumably some sudden increase in current that caused it. If that current flows through a wire with a rating of less than 20A then it, instead of the fuse, will burn assuming the original short is still a problem.

 

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