What does the GUAGES fuse control?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,597
Likes: 237
From: Bartlett Illinois
Re: What does the GUAGES fuse control? (TIMSPEED)
I don't think it controls the Alternator.. but since it is the gauges fuse. I would think it controls the Voltage Gauges..
I know it runs a lot of stuff. I don't have my Service manual at work but could look it up tonight if a get the chance
I know it runs a lot of stuff. I don't have my Service manual at work but could look it up tonight if a get the chance
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
Re: What does the GUAGES fuse control? (-=Jeff=-)
That would be great. But it has to have some bearing on the alternator, because the battery voltage went WAY down when the fuse blew.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 5,297
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From: Stamford VT
Re: What does the GUAGES fuse control? (TIMSPEED)
Did you use a multimeter to check the battery voltage or are you relying on the factory volt gauge? Because, as Jeff said, if the gauge fuse blew, it stands to reason that the gauge won't be too accurate.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
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From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: What does the GUAGES fuse control? (TIMSPEED)
TIM,
You ask questions and when folks try and help you don't like the answer.
The guys are right, somewhere in your wiring something is wrong! This is why the fuse is blowing. The fact that when you re-powered the panel the voltage came up supports this. Somehow voltage is back-feeding the panel. Don't know what you did with the alternaotr, but the first thing I would do is un-due what you did with the guages or whatever mod you made. Get the fuse to stop blowing.
You are looking for VooDo here and there isn't any.
You ask questions and when folks try and help you don't like the answer.
The guys are right, somewhere in your wiring something is wrong! This is why the fuse is blowing. The fact that when you re-powered the panel the voltage came up supports this. Somehow voltage is back-feeding the panel. Don't know what you did with the alternaotr, but the first thing I would do is un-due what you did with the guages or whatever mod you made. Get the fuse to stop blowing.
You are looking for VooDo here and there isn't any.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,286
Likes: 4
From: Guam
Re: (scorp508)
The guys are right. I would go back and recheck any modifications to the original wiring. If you installed anything, disconnect it and replace the fuse to see if you still have a problem. Also, examine your wiring to see if anything is either burned or chaffed. You must have a serious problem that is draining the battery enough that it is hard to start after a short run time. Good Luck!
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
Re: (Sharky Guam)
I have the exact same wiring configuration as Scorp. We both did our gauges the same exact way. I have replaced that fuse with a 25amp ONCE, to see if maybe it was just drawing a little more current (having that guage on it) and it STILL blew that fuse, so I'm guessing there's a problem somewhere. I'm going to take all the wiring out today and redo it all. HOPEFULLY it'll cure my problem. I just am confused as to why the battery would drain! :confused:
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
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From: Modesto CA
Re: (scorp508)
So you DIDN'T wire it into the rearview mirror light circuit? I thought you did. Maybe those wires up there just aren't enough power. I may say F the illumination portion of this guage, and just run it to the friggin' battery!
I'm going to completely rewire this thing as soon as I get a chance to do it, as well as most likely replace my alternator.
[Modified by TIMSPEED, 5:20 PM 3/4/2002]
I'm going to completely rewire this thing as soon as I get a chance to do it, as well as most likely replace my alternator.
[Modified by TIMSPEED, 5:20 PM 3/4/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
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From: Boston, MA
Re: (TIMSPEED)
So you DIDN'T wire it into the rearview mirror light circuit? I thought you did.
Power = Pink w/Black
Dimmer = Brown
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
Re: (scorp508)
Sorry, didn't see that post. Hmm..I dunno, I don't really want to take my dash apart to do this, so I'll most likely just yank the thing off.
Then that's it then! Those puny wires aren't meant to take that kinda stuff. What happens, is the wires get hot and pop the fuse, but they're still pulling alot of amps off those little wires. It's like having all of the courtesy lamps on at ALL times. Easy as that, so it's either find other places to hook it up or sell it for what I paid for it...hmmm.
Maybe I'll just send the Mafia to shoot off Scorp's kneecap's because his works! :D
[Modified by TIMSPEED, 5:26 PM 3/4/2002]
Then that's it then! Those puny wires aren't meant to take that kinda stuff. What happens, is the wires get hot and pop the fuse, but they're still pulling alot of amps off those little wires. It's like having all of the courtesy lamps on at ALL times. Easy as that, so it's either find other places to hook it up or sell it for what I paid for it...hmmm.
Maybe I'll just send the Mafia to shoot off Scorp's kneecap's because his works! :D
[Modified by TIMSPEED, 5:26 PM 3/4/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: Chandler AZ
Re: What does the GUAGES fuse control? (-=Jeff=-)
I don't think it controls the Alternator
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,597
Likes: 237
From: Bartlett Illinois
Re: What does the GUAGES fuse control? (TIMSPEED)
on the 89 the Gages fuse controls:
Heater and A/C programmer
LH Vanity mirror
Defogger
Heater and A/C controls
Vapor Canister Purge Solenoid
Courtesy Light Timer
EGR Solenoid
AIR Divert Valve
AIR Select/Switching Valve
Module Relay
Ride Control
Header Map Light
Low Coolant Module
TCC/ Cruise Brake Switch
Audio Alarm Module
RU Vanity Mirror
Tell Tale Assembly
Heater and A/C programmer
LH Vanity mirror
Defogger
Heater and A/C controls
Vapor Canister Purge Solenoid
Courtesy Light Timer
EGR Solenoid
AIR Divert Valve
AIR Select/Switching Valve
Module Relay
Ride Control
Header Map Light
Low Coolant Module
TCC/ Cruise Brake Switch
Audio Alarm Module
RU Vanity Mirror
Tell Tale Assembly
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
Re: What does the GUAGES fuse control? (gcrouse)
I don't think it controls the Alternator
YES! The turn-on lead to the alternator is from the gauges circuit; if the fuse is blown and the alt doesn't see 12V on this input, it stays off. You'd see battery voltage only ~12V instead of ~13.5-14.0V. I believe the AC circuit provides an optional turn-on.
YES! The turn-on lead to the alternator is from the gauges circuit; if the fuse is blown and the alt doesn't see 12V on this input, it stays off. You'd see battery voltage only ~12V instead of ~13.5-14.0V. I believe the AC circuit provides an optional turn-on.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
Likes: 1
From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: What does the GUAGES fuse control? (TIMSPEED)
NO, you are reading the circuit wrong. The curcuit turns on the indicator light. If the indicator light is open it may effect charging current, but that is not the problem in this case. You are reading problems INTO the problem. It is very simple. There is a short circuit to ground some where; perhaps a pinched wire, perhaps a miswired connection(s), perhaps a malfunctioning meter - but most likely a problem with the installation.
I'n not sure about the alternator, but from the posts there is no telling what has been done here!
I really don't know, but can you remove the meter (the whole process) w/o pulling the dash like you did before? I really think you have some wires crossed, or more likely wires pinched.
Do as you wish, but you should fix this before you buy the torque converter you posted about and the other couple of mods you posted about. I also don't think you should take this so lightly, you could burn your car. Do you have a shop manual?
Pete
I'n not sure about the alternator, but from the posts there is no telling what has been done here!
I really don't know, but can you remove the meter (the whole process) w/o pulling the dash like you did before? I really think you have some wires crossed, or more likely wires pinched.
Do as you wish, but you should fix this before you buy the torque converter you posted about and the other couple of mods you posted about. I also don't think you should take this so lightly, you could burn your car. Do you have a shop manual?
Pete
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: Chandler AZ
Re: What does the GUAGES fuse control? (PeteL)
Tim- your alternator is not bad; there is no way it can blow the gauges fuse. As mentioned above you have a short to ground in one of those systems- mine was in the ABS module wiring. I gotta bet money yours is the rearview mirror (aka header map light) since that's where you were connecting stuff.
Pete- the alternator is turned on by 12V at terminal F (from the AC fuse) or terminal L (from the Gauges fuse). The charge indicator lamp is off normally as the turn-on input is high impedance so there is minimal voltage drop across the bulb. If the alternator has a problem, it grounds that input causing a 12V drop which lights the bulb. The resistance is high enough to limit the current and not blow any fuses. You'll notice inside the alt, the resistor from terminal F; this serves a similar purpose to the lamp in preventing a short in the AC circuit when the alt grounds the turn-on input.
So the key is terminal L is really bi-directional; with 12V applied it turns on the alternator, but the alt can also ground this input to light the charge indicator. I've spent too many years as an electrical engineer to read circuits wrong...
[Modified by gcrouse, 1:00 AM 3/6/2002]
Pete- the alternator is turned on by 12V at terminal F (from the AC fuse) or terminal L (from the Gauges fuse). The charge indicator lamp is off normally as the turn-on input is high impedance so there is minimal voltage drop across the bulb. If the alternator has a problem, it grounds that input causing a 12V drop which lights the bulb. The resistance is high enough to limit the current and not blow any fuses. You'll notice inside the alt, the resistor from terminal F; this serves a similar purpose to the lamp in preventing a short in the AC circuit when the alt grounds the turn-on input.
So the key is terminal L is really bi-directional; with 12V applied it turns on the alternator, but the alt can also ground this input to light the charge indicator. I've spent too many years as an electrical engineer to read circuits wrong...
[Modified by gcrouse, 1:00 AM 3/6/2002]