Odd Short Somewhere
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 577
Likes: 6
Odd Short Somewhere
I have been assisting a friend with a 1976 Corvette. One odd problem cropped up and we do not know how long it has been a problem. Jolts to the dash portion of the interior cause the brake light to illuminate for a split second and the oil pressure gauge needle does a quick jump. By jolt, it has responded to hard closings of both doors, a bang on the upper dash pad, and even a bang on the steering wheel. Something back there is close to touching and I do not know how to isolate where to look first. It does this with the key off and no power to the ignition or accessory circuit. There do not seem to be any actual problems but power is getting to the ground of the brake light and somehow affecting the resistance of the oil pressure gauge. It is just shown in the brake light and none of the gauges except the oil pressure gauge. Anyone good with the wiring in these old cars that can help me figure out where to start looking?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,417
Likes: 1,554
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
The BRAKE LIGHT in the dash is powered by the GAUGES FUSE. And the gauges fuse should not have power to it IF the key is off.
SO...I would have to verify that I was NOT getting voltage at the gauges fuse.
If that checks out OK...then I would have to wonder if someone has been in the dash doing their own wiring modifications....or somewhere in the circuit for the gauges...it is contacting a live 12 volt source.
SO...you can also pull out the fuses for the circuits that stay hot at all times...such and your courtesy fuse, brake , etc....and if my memory serves me correctly...these fuses are on th left side of the fuse panel.
DUB
