Wiring problem
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From: San Jose, CA USA
Wiring problem
Folks,
Last summer I had my under dash/engine harnesses redone(by a local shop) Some months later my dash cluster lamps went out(not all, the high-beam/emer lamp still work as does glove lamp and radio). I pulled the fuse and it was blown, put in another and instantly blows. I got a test lamp and if I hook the lead to ground and probe around to other ground sources it lights(like the steering column and other stuff under the dash). Does this sound like the dash is going to need to come out to find the short? I'm also having a hard time figuring out the wiring from the 65/63 shop manual and am wondering if I should just take it back to the guys who wired for me?
thanks alot,
Bob
Last summer I had my under dash/engine harnesses redone(by a local shop) Some months later my dash cluster lamps went out(not all, the high-beam/emer lamp still work as does glove lamp and radio). I pulled the fuse and it was blown, put in another and instantly blows. I got a test lamp and if I hook the lead to ground and probe around to other ground sources it lights(like the steering column and other stuff under the dash). Does this sound like the dash is going to need to come out to find the short? I'm also having a hard time figuring out the wiring from the 65/63 shop manual and am wondering if I should just take it back to the guys who wired for me?
thanks alot,
Bob
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Re: Wiring problem (bobl)
You are describing two different electrical problems. A short occurs when a hot wire comes into contact with a ground source, causing a fuse to blow.
If you ground one end of a test light and then touch the other end to a ground source and it glows, this indicates that the item you are touching is not grounded properly and seeking a ground through the test light. This is a classic way of checking for bad grounds.
What fuse if blowing? Dash light fuse or courtesy light?
What year is your car?
[Modified by plaidside, 7:49 PM 10/19/2002]
If you ground one end of a test light and then touch the other end to a ground source and it glows, this indicates that the item you are touching is not grounded properly and seeking a ground through the test light. This is a classic way of checking for bad grounds.
What fuse if blowing? Dash light fuse or courtesy light?
What year is your car?
[Modified by plaidside, 7:49 PM 10/19/2002]
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 95
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From: San Jose, CA USA
Re: Wiring problem (plaidside)
Thanks for the response. The Panel Lamps fuse is blowing and the car is a 65. I guess I'd like to find the source of the short first.
thanks again,
Bob
thanks again,
Bob
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,145
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From: Just About 40 Min's from NYC
Re: Wiring problem (bobl)
Electrical problems are the biggest pain in the butt to find.I had several electrical problems with my car when I bought it and they were all because of extra grounds and jumper wires added to correct a problem.Any ways I found a ground on my starter wired to a hot lead.Removed all the extra jumpers/extra grounds and have no electrical problems with my car.If I had problems still after rewiring everything as per gm diagrams I would have installed a new lectric limited wireing harness for the saftey aspect of it.
I also use a electrical spray cleaner and a small brass brush any time I disconect anything and then when I reassembel it I have a tube of di electric grease that I treat the area with proir to reasembeling.
I also use a electrical spray cleaner and a small brass brush any time I disconect anything and then when I reassembel it I have a tube of di electric grease that I treat the area with proir to reasembeling.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,145
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From: Just About 40 Min's from NYC
Re: Wiring problem (bobl)
[QUOTE]Folks,
Last summer I had my under dash/engine harnesses redone(by a local shop
SORRY redone?
what was redone did he correct a problem you had? or did he install a new lectric limited underdash harness? or did he make his own.
If it still has anytype of a warrenty on it I would bring it back to the guy who did it
Last summer I had my under dash/engine harnesses redone(by a local shop
SORRY redone?
what was redone did he correct a problem you had? or did he install a new lectric limited underdash harness? or did he make his own.
If it still has anytype of a warrenty on it I would bring it back to the guy who did it
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Re: Wiring problem (bobl)
Since your panel fuse is blowing, that eleminates tail and park lighting.
Look at your wiring diagram and find the color of the wire that goes to the dash lights. I think it should be grey. Try and see if any of these wires have been pinched, or if any bare wire is exposed. Also remember to look in back of the center console, there is a light for the radio and the clock.
Look at your wiring diagram and find the color of the wire that goes to the dash lights. I think it should be grey. Try and see if any of these wires have been pinched, or if any bare wire is exposed. Also remember to look in back of the center console, there is a light for the radio and the clock.
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From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
Re: Wiring problem (bobl)
Panel lamps are a tough one because the grey hot line goes all over the dash, and any part rubbing on a grey wire takes them out. Does your car have A-C? If so, start by unplugging the added harness to the A-C controls. They often rub on controls or clock brackets. Second check, if one of the lines was stretched tight on installation, it may have cut through the wire insulation to the metal bulb housing. Third, there is always a very small chance that the headlamp switch panel lamp dimmer resistance (spring) wire is burned and shorted.
If you are not up to repairing the problem, take it back to the shop that installed the harness. Otherwise stand on your head or pull the cluster. :cry
If you are not up to repairing the problem, take it back to the shop that installed the harness. Otherwise stand on your head or pull the cluster. :cry
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