Electrical Woes

[Jason90448]

**1995 Mustang Gts. Power windows, doors, locks, mirrors.

I am new to stangnet, but from what I've seen, you guys look like a helpful bunch. So a little over a year ago the hood and drivers side door were stolen off of my stang in the middle of the night, and she's been garaged until now. I've got another door and hood on there (junkyard specials), but I've run into some issues. (I haven't wired the cut cable into the new door yet) Currently, my speedometer, dash clock, interior dome light, cd player, and all door functionality do not work. (on the door that was untouched) I checked the fuses that should be responsible, and didn't find one that was blown. (checked continuity) So, I went through and checked the rest of the fuses for the heck of it, and still didn't find anything. Now, when my door was removed, they cut the door wiring harness clean in two where it spans the door jam. I'm going to be taking a look at it this afternoon, but I was wondering if perhaps I had a short, and I simply had a circuit breaker tripped? Any pointers on what else to look for would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot!

 

[earleys94gt]

Chances are, when they ripped off the door and cut the harness they messed up some ground and power wires.

You might be able to salvage the harness, but it's a long shot.

I can't believe someone would steal a hood and door WTF?!

 

[Jason90448]

Yeah, it's pretty ridiculous. I have to give them kudos for determination though, they came on the coldest night of the year. (-18 degrees!!) I am planning on getting a new harness, because I don't think it's quite salvageable. (and I don't feel like individually soldering all of those wires to the other half of a crap harness I got from the junkyard, haha.) However, if I go into that sliced cable, and separate the wires out and put some shrink wrap on them for now, would the circuit breakers then reset? (hopefully giving me back my stereo, clock, and dome light?) Should I check any circuit breakers out as well, to make sure they are good?

 

[madams74]

Did you check under the hood at the fuse block there? Nothing should really matter in that door for what your describing. Best way to check fuses is take a test light and go across both sides of the fuse. If you have a light on both of the small exposed metallic areas fuse is good.

 

[Chythar]

I believe that the door harness plugs in just inside the chassis. No need to splice IF you can get your hands in there to swap the plugs. Here's an image from the Ford manual I have, the two connectors at the top are for the door:

 

[Jason90448]

Yeah, I did check the fuse block under the hood with a multimeter as well, and they all checked out. So, if there is still a short in the system, the circuit breakers would still be tripped, correct? Then, theoretically if I were to separate out the wires on the cut wiring harness (which is most likely the source of a short), the circuit breakers should then reset, right? Is there anything besides a fuse or a circuit breaker that may be the problem? Or......am I way off?

 

[Jason90448]

Chythar, thanks a lot for that diagram! That definitely helps! Haha, yes, it may be a little tricky getting in there, but I'll give that a shot tomorrow and we'll see what happens.

 

[yukisho]

Can't really offer help, but I can offer a story of my own. About 2 years ago when I had my ram 2500 someone stole the windshield, tailgate, and one tire in the middle of the night. Go figure that one out.

 

[Jason90448]

It looks like it may take a bit of finagling to get at those harness plugs, but I will update when I do! Thanks a lot for the help so far!

 

[Jason90448]

Ok, so I was able to get a finger on those plugs, but that's about it. I was laying on my back, looking up underneath the dash area near the door to see if there was a way to access the plugs from there. What I found was a piece of insulation covering some small access holes, with both plugs right behind that. However, I cannot get more than a finger in there because the interior fuse block is in the way. I tried loosening the two bolts on the bottom side that appeared to be holding it on, but either those weren't it or there are a couple more that I cannot see. Any ideas on removing the fuse block assembly?

 

[Chythar]

No tips from me, I haven't done that job before.

 

[yukisho]

Needle nose pliers.