Tips on the best way to find a short circuit? Minimal removal as possible

Hi there guys,

I have an R34 GT-T that has just been giving me the complete electrical run through. Down at the track I had the vehicle immediately turn off and my sensors stopped working. When I inspected the car I found a melted wire running from the 10A IGN cable in the fuse box, and I found all my 5V sensors had 12V power supplied to them, not good. I have cut the loom to inspect the wires and unfortunately I think I keep on chasing my tail. Is there a way to narrow down the location of the short? From what im understanding may of happened here is my insulation on the wires has melted due to suddenly having power to grounds and has melted some wires together (i.e 12V and a ground). Due to some of the locations of the OEM Harness, there is alot of components to take off, and my current working area permits me to really strip the car down.

I have basic tools and some knowledge when it comes to electrical, but nowhere near enough as I am sure you can tell. I have a digital multimeter, test light, circuit tester. I have heard of tools such as a Fox and Hound to try and narrow down the short, but I figured I'd ask the brains trust before grabbing another tool.

Really interested to see what everyone else thinks, or tricks of the trade that they have found regarding it. As upgrading to a custom harness is unfortunately not in the budget at the moment, so it will be an OEM patch. Once I've narrowed down the cause I would like to adopt the harness a bit better due to an alternator upgrade from the stock to a 140A

Thanks all,

Zane

There's a simple hack that helps, it won't find the "short" but it stops you causing your fuses to blow while looking for it.

Assuming it's a short to ground.

You simply wire in a bulb instead of the fuse on that circuit. Something small like a 5w side light bulb.

Then start unplugging stuff far away, when you're upstream of the short the bulb goes out.

Not the answer you asked for I appreciate, but will save melting more wires while looking for the issue.