Does anybody have any guess why my '02 Miata would be popping the "engine" fuse when I key on with the clutch in? Seems to not care until I put the clutch in like I'm about to start it. Been chasing this issue for a week and I'm out of ideas.
Clutch safety switch? I'd temp bypass that first. And temp only as you would be bypassing a safety feature hense the word safety in the name.
Follow up. It pops when you put in the clutch or when you turn the key after putting in the clutch? Cause it could be a short after that if it's when you go to turn the key.
Follow up number 2. If you have a helper first I'd make sure the 12v trigger wire for the starter isn't shorted to ground. A VOM on that wire at the starter to ground would tell you if it's the wire to the starter. If it's not shorted have someone push in the clutch. If it then shorts it's either the switch or before the switch. EDIT (or the switch) Then disco the input the switch and see if it's shorted to ground before. If not then switch. My bet is switch.
It seems like I have to key on while clutch is in for the fuse to pop. I'll try bypassing the switch in the morning.
I wouldn't spend much time chasing that clutch switch. That's only involved in the starting circuit and that's not your problem.
I don't have a 2002 diagram handy, but the 2000 one has the following items on the ENGINE circuit:
It's powered off the IG1 pole of the starter switch, so it goes hot when you turn the key to ignition and stays hot during cranking. I have seen a misrouted wire chafe and short on the clutch pedal, leading to a fuse blowing every time it was depressed. I forget exactly what circuit, but that sounds closer than something directly involved in starting the car. Look for a black wire with a white stripe, but that may be different on an NB2.
I suspect that if you turn the ignition on and depress the clutch, you'll pop that fuse. Might be worth checking to see if you have continuity to ground on one side of the fuse first.
No worries about bypassing the clutch safety switch on the long term, it's only there to prevent you from starting the car in gear and it's actually abusive to your thrust bearing. If it was a clutch switch problem you'd be popping something like the ST SIG, MAIN or IG KEY fuses. The latter two are big, 80 and 40A respectively.
I think I found it. We relocated some wiring messing with the new seat and I just found that harness was hard against a bracket on the exhaust.
In reply to Keith Tanner :
You didn't know 12 year old Stampie who thought he would help his mom by starting her Honda Civic from the passenger seat.
In reply to Stampie :
Or 43 year old Pete reaching in through the window of a car to crank it after replacing the carburetor, forgetting that he'd been in there checking steering wheel/shifter placement while waiting for the new carb to come in, and had left it in gear. Fortunately, it did not fall off the jackstands, but it did scoot forward a couple inches.
(okay, I had been sitting in it making vroom-vroom noises while waiting for parts. Like you never done it)
Ok definitely found it The re routed rear o2 wiring was pinched by my seat. So it wasn't the clutch switch blowing the fuse it was my fat self climbing into the seat.
Woohoo! Victory!
I will admit to having maybe accidentally started a car in gear over the past few decades, but half of my cars were built before these switches were added so it's all my responsibility.
12 year old Stampie will be monitored carefully.
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
Not my car, but many years ago at the boat ramp I was wait in line for a '70 nova loading a small aluminum row boat on a trailer.
He got the boat loaded and then starter on the nova wouldn't engage. He popped the hood and jumped the solenoid with a screwdriver.
Unfortunately the car was in reverse and the engine fired almost instantly. The Nova and trailer went down the ramp and into the lake before anyone could react. By the time it stopped all you could see was the front edge of the still open hood and the trunk lid as the trapped air floated the rear of the car.
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