The Triumph 2000/2500/2.5 Register Forum

No 1 (top) fuse keeps blowing on me, knocks out O/D, brake lights, indicators, dash instruments etc.

My first thought is the overdrive switch or wiring in the gearlever, but I would like a second opinion.

Try an elimination program by taping a spare low wattage bulb holder (with bulb!) fed from the fused side of the no.1 fuse somewhere you can see it, and then try all the ignition fed functions (usually those with green as primary colour in the wiring, such as wipers, screenwash, rev lights, indicators etc one at a time til the fuse blows and the bulb goes out)
I'm with you though on there being a short circuit on the overdrive wiring earthing out on the gearlever.

Convinced its the gearlever. Thinking about it, all is well until I change into 2nd then it blows. Isolator on my overdrive gives me it on 2/3/4, so the wire up the lever goes live in 2nd, then shorts.

Check than when you fitted the gearknob you have the screwed coller inside no lower than flush with the top of the male thread on the gear lever itself. If the male thread is pround of the 'nut' (collar) then it can short on the switch contacts.

Basically, screw the internal nut only until it's flush, then tighten the external nut. (The one underneath the gearknob.)

Yes, been there and done it!

Also check the wire up the gearlever itself - if it's not new. Although they normally fracture internally rather than short.

Cheers,
Mike.

Ooooooo, good point. I may have put the bottom collar on as low as it will go, which gives too much thread inside.

Too marks, thank you Mike!

The nut was indeed too low. Moved it up which allowed the assembly to rise up about quarter of an inch. Bottom of the od switch was shorting on the top of the lever.
All sorted, just been out in her to pick the girls up from school (ran out screaming LIBBYYYYYY!) and all is well.

Thank you, even us seasoned spannerers can miss things!

Glad to help Alan. I've been caught with that one before too!

Cheers,
Mike.