Intermittent Ignition Fuse 21 warning

[Blooders]

I am not one to usually post on forums but having just found the cause of the intermittent blowing of the ignition fuse on my 98 Griff i thought i would share my findings as it may save someone some work and or possibly the car!

The car had a couple of moments last year where the ignition fuse blew for no apparent reason whilst in for Mot but on investigation nothing could be found ref a short circuit. Fuse replaced all ok for a while. It would then blow again be replaced a couple more times. Of course when this fuse blows the car wont turn over or start.

I didn't get chance to look over the winter due to work commitments but knew it may let me down one day so started to investigate last weekend after the fuse had started to melt.

Removed fuse board all ok, changed the fuse again to start investigation and luckily i had pulled the battery out next to the passenger seat with the terminal just pushed on not tightened. Car started ok ran for a few seconds and then switched engine off but left ignition on whilst checking a few things. After a couple of minutes smoke started coming out from the steering column plastic cowls

Once removed i found that about three wires had chafed through there insulation and had been shorting to the steering column mounting bracket as the cables passed over it and only insulation tape as protection.

The black earth wire to the steering column mounting has melted a long way back behind the dash and no doubt would have been worse if i hadnt had very quick access to pull the battery terminal off.

All repaired now and i have used spirawrap to add additional protection to the wiring.

Anyway my message is really - If fuse 21 blows and no obvious cause - check the wiring under the steering column cowl it could avert a major issue.

I hope the pictures show the issue but quite hard to get a decent pic. bear in mind i had removed the insulation tape wrap on the wiring look at this point

I assume this may well be a potential issue for Chim owners but not sure how to add this on both forums

[chris52]

Not had this issue but many thanks for posting it up. Well worth a look at the wiring in that location just to be sure.
Chris