Short-circuiting usually does not occur automatically. It can be due to age and wear but also due to careless handling. That just happens and I describe one such incident.
In a total restoration of a car, the entire bodywork was bare and empty. The interior and upholstery had been removed as well as the wiring. After everything was sprayed, the wiring was put back in place. The motor was built in and everything was connected. It was possible to start and everything was checked for correct operation. A main power switch was fitted and there was another job to be done. The seats still had to be upholstered and the interior parts had to be mounted. Finally, the floor mats could be placed. To prevent them from sliding forward, clips were screwed to the bottom. Satisfied, I sat in the new seat and flipped the main power switch with the intention of turning on the radio. However, the moment I turned the switch I heard a bang and immediately smelled a foul burning smell. Short circuit was my first thought and immediately I turned the switch off again. But where was that closure and how was it possible? I had checked everything every time, didn't I? Everything worked right? What happened to the car last? Suddenly I had an idea. The clips to secure the carpet were fastened through the bottom with screws. Where were they?
Where did the main power cable run? He walked under the car. And indeed. Upon inspection, it appeared that the 1 screw had gone straight through that cable. How do you get it done. The chance to win the lottery is even greater.
The closure had been so intense that the screw had melted spontaneously and formed one whole with the main power cable. The cable was insulated and a new screw for the carpet clip was installed at a different location. Ready. With a little more bad luck, the screw for the carpet had gone through the cable harness. He was wrong. Then there would also have been closure, but several wires had also been damaged, which meant there was a good chance that certain lamps or devices would no longer work.
Photo and text: Jacques van den Bergh