Oil pressure gauge wiring

[Iain]

Tried to connect this up earlier and it didn't go too well.

Blue/yellow wire, pushed on to the round terminal on an XE oil pressure switch, and extended to the clocks with a spade terminal connected to the following tab:

http://iainel.co.uk/images/forums/NovaWIP2a/168.JPG

When I connected this it smoked and blew a circuit, as above in the picture.

Have I connected it to the right place? What could be wrong?

[Adam]

No thats the right place. Is oil pressure wire(s) part of your remade/extended loom?

[Iain]

It was a 1.2 carb loom so didn't have the right wire, so I took it from a 1.2 SPI loom, extended it half a metre to reach the clocks and crimped on a spade terminal. So it's just one wire going straight from the engine block sensor to the clocks.

[Taffy Boy]

shouldnt you have an inline fuse before the clocks to prevent this?

[Iain]

Inline fuse fitted where?

[Adam]

The gauge already has 12v, that spade connection just provides the earth(through the sender)

[peester]

so your sure that wire you crimped and tried to connect is the earth?
What happens if probed with a multimeter..?

[Iain]

I've checked it's not live. It's just one wire straight from the clocks to the oil pressure switch. I'll check it for continuity/resistance etc.

My good friend AlexW has suggested I am letting the clocks short out as they are resting on the steering column bracket. I might solder the circuit up and try it again.