FOLLOW-UP: Thanks to all your suggestions. And by listening to my more intelectually gifted friends on this list, I found you all hit the nail on the head.
YES, it was coincidence that I happened to be operating the hydraulic lever at that particular moment.
And NO, I didn't find the problem, but here's what happened to get it running again: I found that the neutral switch circuit had the short and when I jumpered the ends of the wire, it still had a short. So the problem was further up the line. I removed the floor mat and dash panels and checked the entire length of the wiring harness. Since I found out that the wiring harness is made of a soybean-derivative, I really suspected mice damage. BUT, I found no mice damage.
I did find a small indentation on a white wire labeled HM-12. I would have needed a magnifying glass to see if copper had been exposed, it was so small. So I just shrugged and didn't know what to do next.
Out of curiosity, I tried to start it just to see if a loose connector or something else may have happened after all my wiggling of wires and guess what! It started right up and kept on running.
So ....... I don't know if the small indent was actually a grounded short or if I had a loose connection or whatever. The important thing is that it now runs. And thanks to you guys, I had some good advice to work with.
So here's a pat on the back to everyone.
It sure is nice to know you're out there!
KEG
YES, it was coincidence that I happened to be operating the hydraulic lever at that particular moment.
And NO, I didn't find the problem, but here's what happened to get it running again: I found that the neutral switch circuit had the short and when I jumpered the ends of the wire, it still had a short. So the problem was further up the line. I removed the floor mat and dash panels and checked the entire length of the wiring harness. Since I found out that the wiring harness is made of a soybean-derivative, I really suspected mice damage. BUT, I found no mice damage.
I did find a small indentation on a white wire labeled HM-12. I would have needed a magnifying glass to see if copper had been exposed, it was so small. So I just shrugged and didn't know what to do next.
Out of curiosity, I tried to start it just to see if a loose connector or something else may have happened after all my wiggling of wires and guess what! It started right up and kept on running.
So ....... I don't know if the small indent was actually a grounded short or if I had a loose connection or whatever. The important thing is that it now runs. And thanks to you guys, I had some good advice to work with.
So here's a pat on the back to everyone.
It sure is nice to know you're out there!KEG
