Superformance electrical failure

[wanab5150]

On our trip last week to Morro Bay with the LA Cobra Group we made it to Hayward from Roseville where I observed the ammeter was reading slightly negative as I had the headlights on. Upon checking the fuse panel nothing was amiss.

Eventually the engine cooled and I reached under the alternator and found the 1 wire terminal broken. It was an easy fix but with my fumble fingers I accidentally touched the wire to ground (valve cover) on the way back to placing it on the terminal.

It sparked but I continued and got it attached to the alternator. The short was bad enough to kill the entire electrical system. Understand...complete electrical system... not ignition or charging system alone.

I made several phone calls to experts in the area but no over the phone diagnostic was offered. At 4pm Thursday I could not get any guarantee of repair that day and Friday was a crap shoot as the shop was full of other cars being built. Also spending the night in San Jose when we had a room booked in Carmel was not in the cards.

Anyway, AAA towed it back home and we took our Z3 as a replacement for the Cobra to Morro Bay for the weekend. We (the group)had many discussions with some involving a hidden fusible link from the alternator. Nothing was cut in stone.

I did follow one SPF owners guide to placing a jumper wire from the battery post on the solenoid to the 60 Amp fuse in the fuse panel (just as a test). Viola! The jumper restored power to everything.

I'm open to ideas and suggestions other than (get a wiring diagram), (did you check all the fuses), (why didn't you disconnect the battery first stupid!)

Pending ideas I'll remove the wiring harness in the engine compartment and see what I find.....I'd just rather not. Thanks all. tom