Getting shocked by column!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
Getting shocked by column!
Guys,
I am in the process of reassembling my 71's interior.
Not everytime, but half the time, when I touch
1. The bare metal of the steering column;
2. The bare metal of the shifter ****;
3. The ignition key
And almost EVERY time I try to blow the horn
I get shocked. It feels like an AC shock, but then again, Ive never been shocked by a car before, so I wouldnt know what DC feels like.
I currently have the insturment cluster out, the center bezel in and plugged up and working, the steering column plugged in but 'hanging' only bolted to the gear box. The effect is the same regardless if the car is running, key is on or off. As long as the battery is hooked up it happens. The only other things I have done since it started -
1. Replaced alternator w a reman unit
2. Had car painted, horn is not bolted back in place but wire is hooked up.
3. Removed factory radio and taped off wires.
Where should I start looking? I dont want to put the car back together without figuring this out... or is it being taken apart the cause itself?
Any help appreciated.
Richard
I am in the process of reassembling my 71's interior.
Not everytime, but half the time, when I touch
1. The bare metal of the steering column;
2. The bare metal of the shifter ****;
3. The ignition key
And almost EVERY time I try to blow the horn
I get shocked. It feels like an AC shock, but then again, Ive never been shocked by a car before, so I wouldnt know what DC feels like.
I currently have the insturment cluster out, the center bezel in and plugged up and working, the steering column plugged in but 'hanging' only bolted to the gear box. The effect is the same regardless if the car is running, key is on or off. As long as the battery is hooked up it happens. The only other things I have done since it started -
1. Replaced alternator w a reman unit
2. Had car painted, horn is not bolted back in place but wire is hooked up.
3. Removed factory radio and taped off wires.
Where should I start looking? I dont want to put the car back together without figuring this out... or is it being taken apart the cause itself?
Any help appreciated.
Richard
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 119
From: St. Charles Mo
CI 5 & 8 Veteran
Is it a one time shock when you touch it? Or, is it a constant shock as if you are touching A/C?
12 volts does not shock you. look for somthing with a inductive winding that would provide an inductive voltage kick if not properly grounded or suppressed......relays with missing or bad suppresion diodes can cause this. Alt not properly grounded or hooked to battery
Disconnect the alt and run on battery only....see if you get the shock
Then reconnect and try the horn....you get the idea
Bullshark
12 volts does not shock you. look for somthing with a inductive winding that would provide an inductive voltage kick if not properly grounded or suppressed......relays with missing or bad suppresion diodes can cause this. Alt not properly grounded or hooked to battery
Disconnect the alt and run on battery only....see if you get the shock
Then reconnect and try the horn....you get the idea
Bullshark
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
It feels like a constant shock like AC, not like a static electricity shock.
I will disconnect the alternator and try it. Is there any particular relay in the corvette that is known for a bad diode and this phenomna?
I feel like it might be the horn relay, but thats just because I dont like its annoying buzzing sound.
I will disconnect the alternator and try it. Is there any particular relay in the corvette that is known for a bad diode and this phenomna?
I feel like it might be the horn relay, but thats just because I dont like its annoying buzzing sound.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
Update -
I unhooked the forward most wire which turned off the key buzzer.
The shock went away (so did the stray A/C current I was detecting in the system). I suppose a new relay is in order?
Richard
I unhooked the forward most wire which turned off the key buzzer.
The shock went away (so did the stray A/C current I was detecting in the system). I suppose a new relay is in order?
Richard
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 119
From: St. Charles Mo
CI 5 & 8 Veteran
Originally Posted by hap1971
Update -
I unhooked the forward most wire which turned off the key buzzer.
The shock went away (so did the stray A/C current I was detecting in the system). I suppose a new relay is in order?
Richard
I unhooked the forward most wire which turned off the key buzzer.
The shock went away (so did the stray A/C current I was detecting in the system). I suppose a new relay is in order?
Richard
I unhooked that relay years ago....to damn irritating
Bullshark
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