Interior light problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: IL/IA
Interior light problem
After pulling out the interior in my 79 to weld in new floor pans, I've been chasing electrical gremlins.
Currently I have no interior(dash) lights. I replaced the headlight switch as I broke the original removing it with more brawn then brains. Afterwards I was blowing the fuse to the tail lights evry time I clicked the lights on. I noticed a little copper jumper on the new switch that connected pin 4 (or 5?) to pin 3. I removed that and the fuse stopped blowing
.
Only afterward did I realize I now have no interior lights. I have a mini mag light duct taped to the steering wheel for now.
Has anyone else had similar problems? Moreover, was that copper jumper really important? I've been playing with the switch and my multimeter and have found the battery connection only connects to the headlight pin. Pin 2 & 3 seem to connect through the rheostat for the dimmer.
All the gauges work as well as the ever have and a continuity check seems to rule out a bad ground.
My wiring diagram has meet it's match with this one.
Currently I have no interior(dash) lights. I replaced the headlight switch as I broke the original removing it with more brawn then brains. Afterwards I was blowing the fuse to the tail lights evry time I clicked the lights on. I noticed a little copper jumper on the new switch that connected pin 4 (or 5?) to pin 3. I removed that and the fuse stopped blowing
.Only afterward did I realize I now have no interior lights. I have a mini mag light duct taped to the steering wheel for now.
Has anyone else had similar problems? Moreover, was that copper jumper really important? I've been playing with the switch and my multimeter and have found the battery connection only connects to the headlight pin. Pin 2 & 3 seem to connect through the rheostat for the dimmer.
All the gauges work as well as the ever have and a continuity check seems to rule out a bad ground.
My wiring diagram has meet it's match with this one.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
When you blow fuses the issue is NOT a bad ground but a short. You need to find where your wiring is grounding out. Any point in the lighting harness or a short in any socket (or bulb itself) can do it.
If a '79 still has separate bulbs, you should pull them all out, put in a new fuse and then see if the fuse blows when you turn the dash lights on. If so, you need to go deeper into the harness. If not, install the lights one at a time until you find which one blows the fuse.
Good hunting.
If a '79 still has separate bulbs, you should pull them all out, put in a new fuse and then see if the fuse blows when you turn the dash lights on. If so, you need to go deeper into the harness. If not, install the lights one at a time until you find which one blows the fuse.
Good hunting.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: IL/IA
Ok thats what I need to know. Looks like I'll have to patch into the tail light circuit some how since I can't find that copper piece. I think the blown fuses may have been because the contacts on the printed circuits of the dash were coming lose and might have crossed. I've since reglued all the contacts in place.
Back to the drawing board I guess.
Back to the drawing board I guess.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: IL/IA
Originally Posted by tfi racing
Does your car have a delay timer for the interior lights(not the cluster lights)?If it is bad or missing the dome light(s) will not come on.
Sorry dude, but did you even read the thread?
Anyhow, here are some pics of the current state of things since everyone here loves carnage.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,575
Likes: 1
From: Tuttle OK
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
this guy did an excellent job of scanning good info..it's an '80, but should be very close..
he has wiring diagrams and a ton of helpful shet...
by the way, did anyone mention ...just damn?
he has wiring diagrams and a ton of helpful shet...
by the way, did anyone mention ...just damn?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: IL/IA
Thanks for the link. I actualy have the GM service manual that all came out of. I'll have to dig at it more later. I have the diagram from lectric limited (got it at the last bloomington gold). It has been my most valuable buy yet. If anyone else has electrical issues, get one.
