Yet another 'short' question

[mojofilter]

Sorry if I've missed it in a previous thread - here goes.

I am a newly inflicted owner of a '78 Ambassador with the fore end Gaucho along the roadside rather than across the front.
The DC fuse panel is centered under the front console.
There is a short to ground on the #4 circuit (light brown wire) that disappears upward under the interior end-cap. I disconnected that wire from the fuse block to eliminate the fuse block as the problem and the short remains on the wire.
I disconnected all of the destination points for this circuit; 4 ea.:
-curb-side front swivel reading light
-power to three-switch cluster forward of the door (porch, flood, galley)
-fore-most overhead light/vent
-center overhead light/vent
Short still on all these wires.
It seems clear to me that the light brown wire from the fuse box branches into the four dark brown wires that power the above fixtures.
I lowered the leading edge of the center strip enough to see that the four wires are all coming through a cable way (hole) in the fore most rib, and that the branch connection is somewhere forward of this.
The short could be on any one of the five wires.
It seems my only hope is if the forward upper lockers are removable (without removing the entire endcap), thereby allowing view/access.
Any ideas?
Thanks,

- Tim

[ROBERT CROSS]

I would check the other end, the one that plugs into the TV.

Have had several problems that were solved there.

[Lumatic]

I had a similar problem which turned out to be a bad switch in the overhead light.

[mojofilter]

Thanks folks but as I said, everything on both sides of this circuit has been disconnected. I think my only hope of not abandoning the entire circuit is somehow getting at the the wiring behind the interior end cap.
Does anyone know if the forward overhead lockers can be removed to see wiring behind?
Thanks,

- Tim

[Lumatic]

On early 70's you can remove the front console by drilling out the rivets, removing the trim and sliding out the console. Any sign of mice in the trailer?

[overlander63]

It is very possible the wire is pinched somewhere in the ceiling. I know you don't have one, but if you could find a tone-trace type circuit tester, you could pinpoint to location of the short. Where the tone changes is the spot.

[mojofilter]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

I would check the other end, the one that plugs into the TV.

Have had several problems that were solved there.

ROBERT CROSS nailed it!! (or maybe that's riveted it)-
It was the TV power connector - looks like a cigarette lighter plug with an old-school TV 300 Ohm antenna jack beside it. The 12 V receptical had fallen apart with 12 V shorted to ground. I'd missed this 'destination' from the #4 circuit (light brown) and failed to look there, but not before pulling down most of the overhead center interior sheeting. Interesting that this was not shown as one of the #4 circuits on the schematic that I have.
Anyway, I now know way more about the forward wiring that maybe I ever wanted to.
- Next, the galley plumbing anomalies . . .
Again - Thanks All!!

[ROBERT CROSS]

Dad's version of KISS= Keep it stupid, simple.

Glad...now Full Speed Ahead!!