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Old Oct 12, 2020 | 03:49 PM
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Default Need Electrical Help

I have a 1975 coupe which I have taken the interior apart to repair/replace all trim, dash and seats.Since I have it all apart, I wanted to fix a couple of electrical items that were not working. I guess after 45 years, a lot of people have had their hands in it. My problem is I have no idea what harness the issue would be in or how I would go about fixing them. I am not sure if they may all be connected in some way. Here are my issues:

1. No courtesy lights . Nothing happens when door is open or headlight switch is turned.
2. Seat belt alert not working
3. Key Buzzer not working
4. Light and switch in rear storage compartment not working

Any help would be greatly appreciated.. I am new to this and would like to have them working. Car is going into shop for paint, interior ready to go, but I would like to get these issues fixed before I reassemble
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Old Oct 12, 2020 | 05:44 PM
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1. Check fuses, ensure they are the correct size/amperage
2. Inspect fuse block for corrosion if fuse is ok.
3. Obtain a wiring diagram to see is all the problems are connected on the same circuit.
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Old Oct 12, 2020 | 06:00 PM
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I presume the battery isn't installed but if so disconnect the negative connection before doing these things.

Sounds to me like the entire CTSY (courtesy) circuit is dead. Check the fuse. If good clean the fuse terminals.

There was a recent post about the rear convenience lamp. THOROUGHLY clean the switch and lamp contacts!

Does the cigarette lighter work? If not check the CTSY fuse and even if it's good clean those contacts as well.
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Old Oct 12, 2020 | 06:10 PM
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cigarette lighter does not work, but
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Old Oct 12, 2020 | 06:10 PM
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Originally Posted by SwampeastMike
I presume the battery isn't installed but if so disconnect the negative connection before doing these things.

Sounds to me like the entire CTSY (courtesy) circuit is dead. Check the fuse. If good clean the fuse terminals.

There was a recent post about the rear convenience lamp. THOROUGHLY clean the switch and lamp contacts!

Does the cigarette lighter work? If not check the CTSY fuse and even if it's good clean those contacts as well.
the cigarette lighter doesn't work( I believe it is broken, however the light for the cigarette compartment comes on.
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Old Oct 12, 2020 | 06:17 PM
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Also since you have the interior removed it's the perfect time to give the fuse box a good cleaning! Remove all fuses and "battery power" connectors. Get some spray electrical contact cleaner. Use it very liberally along with a small and fairly stiff stainless steel wire brush followed by a brass wire brush. Even with dash out the fuse box isn't the easiest to access so if you want to do a really good job remove it. There are two screws on the cabin side and one bolt (7/16") dead center of the big electrical connector on the engine side firewall. The box still won't move a lot so take pictures of the cabin wiring harness BEFORE removing as I've read that proper positioning is utterly critical to replacing the dash. In the '68-'77 years.

Sounds like you have a fairly optioned car so it likely has the courtesy delay function. If so the crude mechanical delay "module" is buried behind the dash. If it even works it's certainly due for replacement. Check the vendors for a modern solid-state update.
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Old Oct 12, 2020 | 06:30 PM
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Sorry for the double posts.

I doubly suggest you give the fuse box a VERY GOOD cleaning.

The medium to small orange wires you find throughout the cabin are power for the CTSY circuit. That circuit is the one most messed for aftermarket stereos and other accessories that require constant power. They're also the most likely to get yanked hard and possibly breaking a wire (likely at one of the many factory splices). Said splices while secure use steel that can corrode which causes overheating under high load (think added accessories). Not sure about yours but in my '79 some of those splices were in the same harness position as ground splices and the scanty insulation tape used around the splices had fused together.
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Old Oct 13, 2020 | 12:39 PM
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Originally Posted by SwampeastMike
Sorry for the double posts.

I doubly suggest you give the fuse box a VERY GOOD cleaning.

The medium to small orange wires you find throughout the cabin are power for the CTSY circuit. That circuit is the one most messed for aftermarket stereos and other accessories that require constant power. They're also the most likely to get yanked hard and possibly breaking a wire (likely at one of the many factory splices). Said splices while secure use steel that can corrode which causes overheating under high load (think added accessories). Not sure about yours but in my '79 some of those splices were in the same harness position as ground splices and the scanty insulation tape used around the splices had fused together.
It looks like someone installed a new stereo system and use the 20 amp fuse( courtesy) as the source of power. If the radio works,wouldn't it indicate that the fuse is good?
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Old Oct 13, 2020 | 02:49 PM
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Originally Posted by VinniePG
It looks like someone installed a new stereo system and use the 20 amp fuse( courtesy) as the source of power. If the radio works,wouldn't it indicate that the fuse is good?
Likely but not definitely. Pull the fuse and see if the radio quits working.
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