Ignition Switch Question

If you only shorted directly from the + terminal to ground, none of the car circuits were involved, and except for welding the wrench to the hold down there should be no other effect.

What is voltage of battery now?  Shorted out the battery?  

  Go back and read TERRY’s post. All of you. This accidental short-circus happened in a location in the electrical system, BEFORE any of the rest of the system. Nothing but the positive cable clamp (not even the cable itself), the wrench, the hold-down, the battery tray and the negative cable were involved. Clean the battery posts and cable clamps, and the connecting point of the neg. cable to the frame or batt. tray. A poor connection in any of these locations can pass a small amount of current but can be destroyed by a large draw, like a wrench to any body part. I used to see this a LOT. 

Edited by Bruce W - 24 May 2020 at 2:06am

Well, I connected the neg cable to the battery. Pulled the light switch and the lights came on! Immediately, got in, turned on the key and stepped on the starter...she started right up! Who can figure. Like I said, maybe the Gremlins will work on it overnight. Just so you know, I did take the circuit breaker off the light switch yesterday, so it couldn't have reset. Possibly there is another breaker that the PO put someplace that I don't know about. But, I am ecstatic this morning and I can continue working on my jeep. And of course, I will disconnect the ground cable, in anything I do! Right, Bruce W?

Well, last Monday, I tried to start the jeep, to no avail. Lights and horn worked, but the starter switch wouldn't work. There was usually a click when I pushed on it, now there was nothing. So I ordered a new floor mounted starter switch. Came in the mail this afternoon. Took the old one out and replaced it with the new one. Turned the key, pressed the starter and she started right up. I have learned a lot of things about the electrical system with the help of everyone in this community. Got a new voltage regulator, new battery cables, braided engine to ground strap, found out about the little hole in front of the battery tray where the neg cable is grounded. And I have been ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS been disconnecting the neg battery cable before I do anything electrical!! Even my wife is impressed on how you guys have responded to my issues. Thankful that all this is getting fixed while here at home before we trailer our jeep to Ridgway, CO at the end of July to drive through the trails and take in all the beauty of the countryside. Will be great to get out from behind my desk doing taxes, since the deadline was extended to July 15th. AND get out of the 100+ degree temps that we are experiencing already!