ICR Workshop

Just when I thought I was finally approaching the finish line, things went very wrong.

I had finished the removable rear engine cover mechanism and connected the lighting for the final test.

Then ... short circuit.

The left taillight and part of the right one burned out.

After taking everything apart and checking the circuit, I finally found the reason. The chrome inside the original AUTOart taillights isn't simply chrome-colored paint. There is a conductive metallic layer underneath it.

Which means that despite the taillight housing being plastic, parts of its surface can actually conduct electricity.

I didn't account for this when installing the LEDs. Some of their contacts touched the conductive surface, allowing them to short through the taillight housing, the engine cover and eventually each other.

And here's the worst part.

I have no red LEDs left.

I've already ordered replacements, but with the deadline this close, I honestly don't know if they will arrive in time.

Best case, I'll have one day to rebuild everything.

Worst case...

Well, I guess we'll find out very soon.

The final boss of this project apparently wasn't the paintwork, the engine or the 3D modeling.

It was electricity. ⚡