Electrical help.... Please...

[Fordpup]

1986 Bronco II, 2.9, A4LD...

My problem started out as what I call a parasitic drain. The battery went down, so I took it out to charge it up. Went to put it back in, when a yellow wire that runs from the starter solenoid across the rad support to the drivers side, started to smoke. Disconnected the negative cable, unplugged the yellow wire at the connector. Hooked the battery up, now I have no power to inside of vehicle. But at least I found the source of the drain, sort of. This yellow wire plugs into a black/orange wire which has what I would call an insulator. There are 4 wires coming out of the end of the insulator: 1 black/orange, 1 yellow/white and 2 black with fuseable links in them.

My question is, what should I be looking for that would cause that kind of power drain? Could a fuseable link that went bad cause this? Sounds like I'm reaching, but you never know.

I really could use some input on the electrical end of this. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

Mechanically, I can fix just about anything, but electrical problems give me nightmares... :blink:

 

[Seabronc]

One of those wires is most likely shorted. Probably due to a rub through on some metal part. Unfortunately for you the yellow and black with orange strpie wires are the main feeds to different functions. You can put a test light or meter between the battery (-) and ground and disconnect one wire at a time until the light goes out. That circuit is the one with the problem. Then you need to trace it very carefully to find the short.

Good luck,

>-

 

[Fordpup]

One of those wires is most likely shorted. Probably due to a rub through on some metal part. Unfortunately for you the yellow and black with orange strpie wires are the main feeds to different functions. You can put a test light or meter between the battery (-) and ground and disconnect one wire at a time until the light goes out. That circuit is the one with the problem. Then you need to trace it very carefully to find the short.
Good luck,

>-

Thanks Seabronc, you were right. There was a short in a wire running to the alternator.

Appreciate all the help. >-