I've read a few horror stories from people who have created more work for themselves unwittingly. I think I can safely join those ranks now. The other night after doing a valve adjustment, purge, filter change, and finally installing a new idle cable, I accidentally left a deep socket on top of the throttle linkage that must have fallen down between the injection pump and valve cover when I shut the hood. When I turned the key to preglow, there was arcing and a pop under the hood and I quickly turned the key off and opened the hood to fine wisps of smoke.
I am not an electrician at all. I hate electricity with a passion. I just can't understand it like fuel or water flow. I found a fuse on the firewall that is just before the glowplugs. It's an 80 amp strip fuse and I already ordered more. In the meantime though I went to advance auto and found another 80 amp fuse (it doesn't matter what type of fuse it is does it??) and replaced the blown one. Now, when I turn the key to any position nothing happens whatsoever. I even tried jumping it and charging it over night. When the fuse is hooked up, the battery is constantly draining about 0.01 Volts every 3 seconds. Is this normal?
When I disconnect the fuse, all my accessories work and the battery seems to hold a charge. This is a good 'titanium' battery less than a year old and the alternator is only 2 months old.
I have looked through other blogs and found a lot about the glow plug relay which I think is under my dash in this car. I can't figure out which relay it is under there however. Could this be the culprit even though the 80 amp fuse blew?
I do have a multimeter but I don't really know how to use it well.
I would really appreciate any help. My wife and I really do like our cars but lately its just one problem after the next and we are starting to lose heart.
Thank you,
Brandon and Megan Oswald
Pensacola, FL
1979 300D
1985 300D Turbo