I've been working on my convertible 7 for a while now, getting a turbo engine rebuilt and installed, wiring the emissions harness for a megasquirt, putting an FD alternator on it etc. The rest of the car has been sitting untouched. Yesterday I was just about done with the engine install and wanted to power it up to check for fuel leaks w/ the UIM off, but noticed that there was direct continuity from the power to ground cords going to the battery.



I tried completely disconnecting the emissions harness and alternator, but it was still shorting. Then i pulled out the engine harness (the one with the battery post connectors on it) to test independantly and inspect, but it was fine. At this point I have it traced through the 60A BTN fuse under the hood, thru a white/red wire, and to the 7.5 amp fuse circled in the diagram from the FSM. Has anyone run into some sort of short thru this fuse? Its driving me nuts, and i need this car to drive to work tuesday! Thanks in advance for your help!

room fuse? do you have an aftermarket radio?

no, its the stock CD player thing that came in the S4 'verts. I've been going thru the FSM and finding everything thats on the B9-3 circuit side of it, then going to that component and unplugging it to see if it helps. So far i've ruled out the radio, headrest amp, warning light cluster/clock, emissions system (emissions harness isnt connected), and drivers-side door. There are a few more plugs left to find and unplug tho, so i'm hoping its one of them (altho they're mostly random interior lights and ****) and not a short in the front or interior harnesses