BroncoII4x4.com

1987 Bronco II.
I was replacing the valve cover gasket on the passenger side and while manuvering it into place one of the wires (with a fusible link) coming out of the starter started fuming. I pushed the cover a couple of times to no avail and then it stopped.
I disconnected the battery ground figuring better late than never and finished the repair. I looked and looked and could find nothing on the back of the alternator that was exposed so I hooked the battery back up and nothing electrical works.
I started with a test light and multimeter and tested all six of the fusible links listed in the manual. All test fine for continuity and the 2 coming of the starter relay are hot on the battery side and the other.
One goes to the "computer" and it is hot at the "computer". Nothing on the circuit board shows any sign of overheating.
The other wire goes across the engine compartment and up into the dash and tests hot as far as I can chase it.
However there is no juice at the fuse block. There is evidence of earlier damage on the radio circuit from overheating but the way it looks it was some time ago.
I may have found the original cause of the issue. Coming out of the bottom of the alternator there are 2 black wire that were joined about 1 foot from their egress from the alternator body. I have not found the other end of the circuit as yet but they have the look of ground wires. The repair (joining) was exposed and they are definitely in the right position for me to have pushed them into the back of the alternator grounding the circuit if it is/was live.
None of the wires at the alternator test hot.
The Chilton's manual seems limited as few of the wires in the diagram match the colors in the vehicle.
It mentions an under the hood power distribution box which I cannot find. It tells me there is a hinged lid and how to replace the fuses. There is no picture and I have followed a lot of wires but I don't see it or maybe just can't identify it.
Anybody have an idea?
Need some help. Maybe a shrink and some new glasses too.

It's really hard to say on this one without being able to be there. I think you're on track by testing with the multi meter. It's always a bit scarey when you have to sort out someone elses mess.

My two suggestions would be chech the ignition switch, and make sure you unplug all the connectors you see on the wiring harness and make sure they didn't melt inside.

I would like to add, that in the 13 years I've owned my BII, I don't recall any electrical problems. I've always been very happy about that. If you want electrical problems, buy a jeep

Good luck.

The power box with large fuses should be on the right side fender well aside of the airbox (air cleaner). This is the general location on 2.9L engine compartments. The box is about 8 inches long and 2 1/2 inches wide. If you find it, use care taking the cover off! One side is the clip you press to release the cover, the other hooks the box body. If you try to press or pry the wrong clip you will break the hook off.
You may have blown one of the larger fuses in this box. If I remeber correctly, our old '87 (since rolled by the wife and totaled) and our current '90 have the box on the right fender well.