Condensor failure caused by a short?

[Will N]

Could a short elsewhere in the wiring lead to the failure of a condenser?

[Ron/IA]

The answer here would be "maybe".

Condensers are two metal plates separated by insulation; wrapped into a cylindrical shape. Voltage higher than the condenser's rating is its most frequent killer. But that is not to say a high amperage caused by a short wouldn't kill it either. To me, there is just no way to really tell.

Of course the solution it to fix the short (provided you have found it), and replace the bad condenser.

I realize that does not give a definitive answer, but there is really no way to tell which (high voltage or high amperage) caused the condenser to go bad.

[V4F]

usually heat kills it .

[larrys40]

I agree with 1930 coupe , post #3. Won't happen. It is usually moisture, inferior product/assembly. Ironically I test these on my early Ford Heyer test sets... and I can almost alway bet a NORS condenser will be 99.9 defective even if new... and original ford, used or NOS will almost always be good. You have to test for capacitance, resistance, and leakage.

The new produced A&L condensers are superior to anything out there. We are lucky to have them as suppliers to us.
Larry Shepard

[Purdy Swoft]

I've never had a problem with the short proof condensers sold by Brattons and Snyders. The only condensers giving trouble with the model A is the V8 condensers.

[Mike V. Florida]

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Originally Posted by Will N

Could a short elsewhere in the wiring lead to the failure of a condensor?

Nope

[Will N]

Thanks for the feedback folks. I've had the same shortproof condenser in there without trouble for at least 5 years. But last weekend a short cropped up in my turn signal wiring, and simultaneously, the condenser failed. I guess it was just plain coincidence.