Electrical problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 134
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From: Houston, Texas
Electrical problem
75 Coupe
I have a power drain in the courtesy light circuit. After killing a battery and having to replace it, I installed a blade switch on the battery negative, but that’s a temporary fix. My courtesy lights stay on the entire time I’m driving.
I know it’s the courtesy light circuit, found it by removing one fuse at a time with an ammeter between the negative cable and battery post. I have no clue how to find the problem. As far as I can tell, it is only the courtesy lights and cigar lighter on that circuit.
If anyone has any techniques to use to find the problem, I’d really appreciate it.
Thanks
I have a power drain in the courtesy light circuit. After killing a battery and having to replace it, I installed a blade switch on the battery negative, but that’s a temporary fix. My courtesy lights stay on the entire time I’m driving.
I know it’s the courtesy light circuit, found it by removing one fuse at a time with an ammeter between the negative cable and battery post. I have no clue how to find the problem. As far as I can tell, it is only the courtesy lights and cigar lighter on that circuit.
If anyone has any techniques to use to find the problem, I’d really appreciate it.
Thanks
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Or one of the door switches out of adjustment? Try manually pushing the switch plunger inwards, does the light go out? Try both doors. Remove the kick panel, inspect the wiring on the switch.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 701
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From: Aubrey TX
Building on 4-vettes suggestion, reconnect the battery and verify the storage compartment light behind the seats is actually going out when the door is closed. That plunge switch failed on my 73 and the light never went out, but with all the doors closed I never saw it. Took me a few days to find it
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 134
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From: Houston, Texas
Thanks for all the replies.
I have checked and the headlight **** was not turned all the way. Also, checked the door plungers and nothing. I've looked at the wiring behind the kick panels, and nothing is obvious. Gonna check the storage compartment light today (hadn't thought of that one).
Odd thing, while driving yesterday, the key warning buzzer started going off for a while, then it quit. I can't remember if it worked properly before.
I'll report back.
I have checked and the headlight **** was not turned all the way. Also, checked the door plungers and nothing. I've looked at the wiring behind the kick panels, and nothing is obvious. Gonna check the storage compartment light today (hadn't thought of that one).
Odd thing, while driving yesterday, the key warning buzzer started going off for a while, then it quit. I can't remember if it worked properly before.
I'll report back.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 134
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From: Houston, Texas
Well, I removed both door switches and the lights went out, but I'm stilling seeing 2.0 amps. Can't seem to get the door switches started back in the hole though, I've tried new ones and the old ones. Not worried about that now though.
How can I find where the 2.0 amp draw is?
How can I find where the 2.0 amp draw is?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 134
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From: Houston, Texas
I was wrong, again. With the pin switches (front ones, not the Door Ajar ones) removed, and the wires taped up, the courtesy lights still light up. So I guess that's my 2 amp draw.
If I understand correctly, this circuit works by supplying power to the bulb and the pin switches provide the ground, correct? So it is grounding out somewhere. How can I find where?
If I understand correctly, this circuit works by supplying power to the bulb and the pin switches provide the ground, correct? So it is grounding out somewhere. How can I find where?
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Yup, sounds like you have a pinched ground wire. Could be under the top trim, etc. Follow the wires.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 701
Likes: 335
From: Aubrey TX
I was wrong, again. With the pin switches (front ones, not the Door Ajar ones) removed, and the wires taped up, the courtesy lights still light up. So I guess that's my 2 amp draw.
If I understand correctly, this circuit works by supplying power to the bulb and the pin switches provide the ground, correct? So it is grounding out somewhere. How can I find where?
If I understand correctly, this circuit works by supplying power to the bulb and the pin switches provide the ground, correct? So it is grounding out somewhere. How can I find where?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 134
Likes: 22
From: Houston, Texas
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 134
Likes: 22
From: Houston, Texas
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 134
Likes: 22
From: Houston, Texas