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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech

Electrical problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter 5.0_GT_kid
  • Start date Start date May 14, 2011

5.0_GT_kid

20+ Year Stangneter
Apr 18, 2004
1,155
1
39
Largo, Florida
May 14, 2011
#1
  • May 14, 2011
  • #1
Ok, here is the situation. Right before the broken water pump bolt fiasco, my car had developed a weird electrical problem. What would happen is that whenever you would turn on the blower, headlights or press on the brakes, the oil pressure and temperature gauges would start to read higher while the volt gauge would read lower.

On a side note, the circuit for the cigarette lighter inside the car is blowing fuses, but I do not know if this is related. The lighter has never worked since I owned the car and I made no attempts at repairing it until the gauge issue had already started.

So, what should be my first step?
 

will_95gt

Member
Jul 27, 2004
298
1
16
Austin, TX
May 14, 2011
#2
  • May 14, 2011
  • #2
Hmm, weird. How much does the voltage gauge drop? (Dead center should be 13 V)
 

5.0_GT_kid

20+ Year Stangneter
Apr 18, 2004
1,155
1
39
Largo, Florida
May 15, 2011
#3
  • May 15, 2011
  • #3
will_95gt said:
Hmm, weird. How much does the voltage gauge drop? (Dead center should be 13 V)
Click to expand...

I'd have to ask my brother (he was driving the car when this happened) to be sure, but I don't think it was a significant amount. Now on the other hand, the oil pressure and temp gauges would progressively read higher the more you turned on. If you turned on the high beams, blower and hit the brakes you could damn near peg the gauges.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
May 15, 2011
#4
  • May 15, 2011
  • #4
Probably a bad ground.

For the lighter issue, check real quick to be sure there are not coins stuck inside the lighter receptacle.
 

5.0_GT_kid

20+ Year Stangneter
Apr 18, 2004
1,155
1
39
Largo, Florida
May 16, 2011
#5
  • May 16, 2011
  • #5
HISSIN50 said:
Probably a bad ground.

For the lighter issue, check real quick to be sure there are not coins stuck inside the lighter receptacle.
Click to expand...

I was hoping you would chime in! So, how would I go about finding out if it was in fact a bad ground?
 
T

tmacie

New Member
May 18, 2010
29
0
0
May 16, 2011
#6
  • May 16, 2011
  • #6
Huh, I'm having this same issue. its raining here or I'd be out chasing grounds. If you find a solution, let me know.

Thanks,
Travis
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
May 16, 2011
#7
  • May 16, 2011
  • #7
Before chasing the gauge grounding (each gauge has its own ground as I recall), I would ensure the sheetmetal grounds on the front clip are in good shape. The area under each eyelet is generally painted at the factory, which is not optimal for grounding.

Also ensure the engine ground is intact. Adding a secondary motor-to-frame ground is a decent idea.
 

BANGERSTANGER76

Member
Nov 4, 2011
286
9
19
DETROIT PLUGZONE 76
Nov 15, 2011
#8
  • Nov 15, 2011
  • #8
I'M HAVING A POWER POINT/CIGARETTE LIGHTER PROBLEM AS WELL. HAS ANYONE EVER ACTUALLY REPAIRED THEIR CIGARETTE LIGHTER/POWER POINT? AND IF SO CAN YOU PLEASE POST WHAT THE SOLUTION WAS. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT FOR THE LONGEST. THANKS IN ADVANCE GUYS!!!!
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Nov 15, 2011
#9
  • Nov 15, 2011
  • #9
BANGERSTANGER76 said:
I'M HAVING A POWER POINT/CIGARETTE LIGHTER PROBLEM AS WELL. HAS ANYONE EVER ACTUALLY REPAIRED THEIR CIGARETTE LIGHTER/POWER POINT? AND IF SO CAN YOU PLEASE POST WHAT THE SOLUTION WAS. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT FOR THE LONGEST. THANKS IN ADVANCE GUYS!!!!
Click to expand...

If there are no coins inside the receptacles and you're sure the rest of the circuit is copacetic (the power seat wiring is not shorting out, etc), have you inspected the wiring in the back of the receptacles?

With a receptacle disconnected, do a resistance test between the two prongs. It should read infinite.
 
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