cobra II wiring problems

[69stang351]

i replaced the backup bulb on the drivers side of my cobra and (dont remember when) it is blown out already it was just replaced on monday. I cant understand it?? maybe the wiring is bad?? i will have to check the driver bulb on the pass. side to see if it still works.

 

[LedZ 5.0]

Check the ground wires along the rear harness and at the bulb sockets. Also check the grounds on the sides of your rad support.

 

[1970impala]

yup, ground wires and be sure "+" in the socket isn't touching metal anywhere it shouldn't. clean the contacts. was it a brand new bulb or used?

 

[Wart]

Bad wiring doesn't blow out bulbs, Only thing that blows out a bulb is overvoltage and / or age (besides being shaken)

In my truck I went 3 years without having to replace a brake light bulb. Then I replaced around 6 bulbs in as many months. Now I haven't replaced a bulb in 3 years.

Bad bulbs happen.

 

[1970impala]

Bad wiring doesn't blow out bulbs, Only thing that blows out a bulb is overvoltage and / or age (besides being shaken)

In my truck I went 3 years without having to replace a brake light bulb. Then I replaced around 6 bulbs in as many months. Now I haven't replaced a bulb in 3 years.

Bad bulbs happen.

if you have wiring that is constantly being shorted...meaning on and off constantly...the bulb isn't going to last for long, especially if its a touchy short where a contact is made immediately after losing the contact for a fraction of a second. in fact, it may not even be noticible to you.

 

[Wart]

if you have wiring that is constantly being shorted...meaning on and off constantly...the bulb isn't going to last for long, especially if its a touchy short where a contact is made immediately after losing the contact for a fraction of a second. in fact, it may not even be noticible to you.

Why's that? I could see it in a halogen cycle lamp, not a standard filiment.

 

[dmoody]

Wart is right, overvoltage will kill a bulb but undervoltage (a short) won't.

d

 

[69stang351]

1970Impala - it was a brand new bulb, I was sure it was working when i left the parts house, but maybe I was wrong, maybe the contacts need cleaned or something, the old bulb could have been fine, who knows?

Anyway, I will check things out today and get back to you all. Thanks for the help!

 

[1970impala]

1970Impala - it was a brand new bulb, I was sure it was working when i left the parts house, but maybe I was wrong, maybe the contacts need cleaned or something, the old bulb could have been fine, who knows?

Anyway, I will check things out today and get back to you all. Thanks for the help!

Good luck and let us know.

 

[Wart]

1970Impala - it was a brand new bulb, I was sure it was working when i left the parts house, but maybe I was wrong, maybe the contacts need cleaned or something, the old bulb could have been fine, who knows?

Anyway, I will check things out today and get back to you all. Thanks for the help!

Since the newest II is 26 years old it's quite possible there is something wrong with the sockets. And check your grounds, their a known fault in vehicles this old.

I had assumed you checked these things before making your query.

 

[1970impala]

Since the newest II is 26 years old it's quite possible there is something wrong with the sockets. And check your grounds, their a known fault in vehicles this old.

I had assumed you checked these things before making your query.

yup, ground wires and be sure "+" in the socket isn't touching metal anywhere it shouldn't. clean the contacts. was it a brand new bulb or used?

Geez, Wart, are you actually agreeing with what I said?

 

[Wart]

Geez, Wart, are you actually agreeing with what I said?

Don't even try trolling, your no good at it.

 

[1970impala]

Don't even try trolling, your no good at it.

what the he** does trolling mean?

 

[77sleeper]

think he meant for a compliment

 

[1970impala]

think he meant for a compliment

Oh, in that case. Thanks Wart! (hehe)

 

[69stang351]

hey guys dont hijack my thread!! lol j/k anyway, i havent checked that bulb yet... as i have bigger problems as of recently... yes my wiring harness keeps fusing itself and shorting out... something in my wiring is fishy and i cant tell what yet... checked everything i think... alt., volt. reg., etc. for more info go to this thread... http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=476963

 

[LedZ 5.0]

Replaced the starter relay? Have a good ground connection for the relay on the fender well? Checked the fusible links at the relay and near the harness connecter at the drivers firewall? Check the starter cable for any open area that could be shorting to ground and at the starter connection itself. Check for faulty starter.

 

[69stang351]

ok, i do know a lot about cars and the stuff that is under the hood, but starter relay?? where/what is that?? and my solenoid is not bolted tight to my inner fender... could be part of the problem but i know there is something else cuz i directly connected the wiring harness that shorted to the battery to check it for spark and it still did. It could be the starter... that is still hooked up to power... also maybe it could be my ignition switch?? let me know what you think

 

[LedZ 5.0]

The starter relay is the solenoid. Tighten it up on the fender well for a good ground.

I can't say for sure if it's your starter but you could disconnect the cable at the solenoid and see if you still have the mean spark problem.

 

[69stang351]

Well, I unhooked everything electrical, I mean EVERYTHING, I also unhooked the solenoid and the starter and it still arcs, so it has to be grounded out somewhere, I think it is the little mechanism on my steering column (small mechanical rod) that the ignition switch is connected to that is grounding out a wire, cuz when i connected the wiring harness to the neg. side of the bat. it didnt arc (like when you connect the pos. and neg. terminals)