Need help,a starting point on finding a short
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Crestview Fl
Need help,a starting point on finding a short
Hey guys,I'll start off saying I ordered the wiring diagrams the 23rd of last month and needless to say I haven't gotten them, but I'll save that for another time. I've been putting off getting the dash in on count of ordering the diagrams, because of a couple of issues in the wiring. The one concerning me the most is a short in the courtesy light circuit. Those lights are the only lights not working.The fuse blows so I'm assuming that is where the problem is. If someone has a good starting point that would help I would appreciate it. If I knew the first point after the fuse I could get started. I do have the free diagram but it's missing the details,thanks for any help,Terry
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
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From: grand prairie texas
The wiring diagram is a must for finding your short. On my 77 the clock and cigarette lighter are also on the same circuit as the courtesy lights. I would first take each of the courtesy lights out of their mountings and then remove all the bulbs and see if the fuse dont blow then one at a time start reinstalling them until the fuse blows. also slide the door switches out of the door pillar and see if the fuse dont blow. If the blows with the bulbs out then you probably have a short to ground which means tracing wires. the whole troubleshooting process is just a process of elimination.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
As wnmech says remove all the courtesy light bulbs , also unplug the rear body harness connector (that will kill the rear courtesy light circuit)unplug the lighter and the clock.
Your looking for a short in the orange wire.
Your looking for a short in the orange wire.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Yes thats the only color of wire coming off that fuse except for a very short red back in the 3 compartment area but it jumpers directly from the orange.
Don't forget the BAT spade just to the right of the fuse is fed by that fuse.
Don't forget the BAT spade just to the right of the fuse is fed by that fuse.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,327
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From: Fl
Terry,
You can also have an issue with the headlight switch too.
The lamps are wired into the circuit thru the swith too (turn the switch hard left and the lights will come on).
The white wire is ground and orange hot. Take a carefull look at the wiring leading to the rear lamp in the storage area.
You can also have an issue with the headlight switch too.
The lamps are wired into the circuit thru the swith too (turn the switch hard left and the lights will come on).
The white wire is ground and orange hot. Take a carefull look at the wiring leading to the rear lamp in the storage area.
4th Gear
Joined: May 2012
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Orange showing ground
I have searched the forum for a week on this topic, which is close to mine... My 81 w/ courtesy light delay is showing a gentle ground on the orange wire. Gentle ground meaning that my test light is not as bright
as a true ground, almost like its running through a grounded bulb....but all the bulbs are out.....
Cigarette lighter plug is off, clock is unplugged, light dimmer / timer is pulled....orange still shows ground...as soon as I install fuse, it pops... So the orange is grounded somewhere.
The question of the day is: Where do all the orange wires split out of the fuse box?... so I can check each orange run independently ....one of those buggers is shorted to the frame or ground. There looks to be only 6 runs to lights, lighter, glove box etc.....
Thanks in advance....Tim
as a true ground, almost like its running through a grounded bulb....but all the bulbs are out.....
Cigarette lighter plug is off, clock is unplugged, light dimmer / timer is pulled....orange still shows ground...as soon as I install fuse, it pops... So the orange is grounded somewhere.
The question of the day is: Where do all the orange wires split out of the fuse box?... so I can check each orange run independently ....one of those buggers is shorted to the frame or ground. There looks to be only 6 runs to lights, lighter, glove box etc.....
Thanks in advance....Tim
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From: Southbound
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4th Gear
Joined: May 2012
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Update:
After 5 hours of following and tracing.... The glovebox bulb hade been broken out and the filament was still stuck in the socket shorting out against the ground.....pulled it out and whammy, no more blowing fuses. I did replace the stock assembly on drivers and passangers with a 10 LED strip with adhesive under the dash....much more bright white light.....thanks for all your help!!
