Fire/Electrical....FML

[johnsonjaco]

So...quick story about my festy.... I bought a '89 L this spring with 80K (carbed 4 speed). This car was in storage for a number of years and used to be used as an audio show car in the late 90s...as a result it has custom tweed interior, window tint, wheels, a huge chevy alternator, custom power windows (actually really sweet), and an alarm system with power locks and like 4 sirens haha... anyway...good project car...I have put about 4000 mi on the car and recently I swapped a 5 speed and installed a/c (almost just needed to finish wiring).... I have been driving it for the past week with no issues and drove for about two hours yesterday... parked it in the garage...

*****this morning went to start it and turned it over for ~20 sec (carb takes awhile to start)... car didn't start, then I noticed ridiculous amounts of smoke piling out from under the hood...looked and it was obvious electrical fire...:cry_smile:....... I have attached pictures of the wire that melted (black on in the bundle behind radiator).... I don't know anything about electrical really so any help would be appreciated!!!! I had big plans for this car... New paint was planned next month, new shocks,struts,etc...

[johnsonjaco]

more pics

[johnsonjaco]

my festy...

[johnsonjaco]

What wire is that? How would you guys go about fixing it? Thanks!

[georgeb]

There is a white wire in that harness that goes to the pass side for the parking light relay I believe that is fused by one of the fuse links. Do you have the correct amperage links 30-40-30? Does it arc when you hook up the cables? If not, see what doesn't work. I have an '89 wiring manual for furthur diagnosis.

[FestYboy]

looks like a engine to chassis ground failed and the starter found another ground source through the ignition system... in either case, not good.

[johnsonjaco]

Should I try to pull the wires out and see what I can salvage? or can I find an entire harness somewhere? how would you guys go about fixing this? (obviously make sure that the engine to chassis ground is intact for a start...)

[Hot_Wheels]

convert it to full on carburator, make sure all the wiring to the head lights, signals work and call it a day

[drddan]

There are several grounds on the engine. And I think what Hot Wheels is trying to say is, you dont need all that wiring if you convert to another carb like...a Weber carb, or Escort carb. You literally only need wire to the important stuff. Like headlights/tailights, coil, disty, and battery. Most of the wiring is for emission stuff, which a non-feedback carb doesnt need!
The original Festy carb is a feedback carb, which needs the wires to feed info to the ECU, which is something else that wont be used with another carb.