What size wires go here?

[Mike Culpepper]

I posted a question about my truck not wanting to start a copuple days ago, turns out it wasn't the batt. or the alt. but a loose and broken connection in a wire that runs behind the battery. I GUESS the previous owner had made a crude butt splice in the red 10ga wire that runs in the harness at the top of the radiator support ( wire that carries main power to the fuse box?). THey spliced this 10 ga wire with a short section of 14 ga. wire and this small wire was attached to the terminal mounted on the upper passenger fender just beside where the battery sits(not sure exactly what that terminal is called). THis is the terminal where the 8 ga. wire from the positive post of the battery goes.
I can't think of a reason that this should be wired like this(the 10 ga to 14 ga butt splice), unless this is a crude fuseable link or something????
ANy one have pic.s of the correct wiring at this terminal?
Any help would be appreciated.
Mike

[fatfords]

Mike,
According to my wiring diagram, there should be a 10 AWG red wire from the positive side of the battery to the terminal stud you mentioned. From the terminal, there is a fusible link (size not specified) that hooks the red 12 AWG wire that goes over to a splice near the regulator and alternator. If you can determine the correct size of fusible link, you can substitute a wire of equivalent size. I would solder the connections and add shrink tubing to the short (under 6") wire that is now the fusible link.

If you need to look at my WD, PM me and I will send you a scan.

Good Luck!

[Mike Culpepper]

Thanks for the reply,
I ASSUMED the p.o. had rigged something up , but maybey that is the way it is supposed to be? Now, I didn't mention that there is a third wire off this "power post" , that has what looks like an in-line fuse, maybey that is what the wiring diagram shows as a fuseable link??????My truck has an internally regulated alternator so the wiring is probably a little different?
I HATE WIRING!!!!!!!!
Thanks again,
p.s. I have a WD somewhere in storage, I need to look at it
Mike

[chickenwing]

Fusible links are generally 2 wire sizes smaller than the protected wire. Would not go without one unless you put in an in-line fuse.

[fatfords]

The WD does show an in-line fuse from the terminal stud. I think this powers the headlights. Your description above does sound like a fusible link, except for the "crude butt splice" statement. A fusible link will be a short piece (usually < 6") of heavily insulated wire that is connected to the larger diameter wire with a splice that is usually covered with about a 1/2" diameter molded plastic piece. If you have a butt splice there, replace it with a soldered joint and cover it with heat shrinkable tubing.

Good Luck!

[fatfords]

Here's a little info from Mad Electrical on fusible links.

http://www.madelectrical.com/catalog/fusible-link.shtml

[chickenwing]

Thanks for the Mad link Fatfords. I like it when I'm right. I remember some fuses in the front clip. I'm pretty sure they are for the ammeter though. Have real small fuses in em, like 5amps if I remember right.

[neonlarry]

Correct again chickenwing!

[Hooter]

hmm if you have full guages there will also be a fuse holder in that area for the ammeter

[Mike Culpepper]

Ya'll are good, the WD does show a 16 ga black wire attached to the 12 ga. red wire(2 wire sizes smaller as someone above noted). I removed the connector and soldered the two wires and covered with heat shrink as ya'll described, I also replaced the ring connector on the wire with the inline fuse as the wire was weak near the connector.

Thanks again
Mike