Funny electrical stuff going on...

fourone3

New Member

Jul 18, 2004

27

0

0

Western Mass

Jul 19, 2004

#1

• Jul 19, 2004

• #1

And by funny, I don't mean ha-ha.

So here's the thing... my blinkers don't want to work. I started with the simplest thing I could think of (the fuse) and yes, it was blown. I replaced it and they worked fine with the car on while in idle. But, as soon as I took off down the street and even tapped the brakes, they wouldn't work and I found another blown fuse.

I thought that maybe replacing all the bulbs in the car might help, or even solve the problem. But at least I have new bulbs

I replaced both battery terminals and made a better ground for the negative, but still nothing. Could anyone shed some light on this for me? Thanks!

 

jeffnoel

Founding Member

Aug 31, 2002

1,638

5

37

Clovis, CA

Jul 19, 2004

#2

• Jul 19, 2004

• #2

Test each system one at a time. Test the blinkers, then test the brakes. You make it sound like something in the brake wiring may be at fault. I had a similar problem I caused myself on my 02 after installing sequential lights. When I reinstalled the right taillight one of the wires got crimpt by a bolt and the burned the fuse evertime the right blinker was used. Had me scratchin my head for about 5 minutes.

 

7

77sleeper

GO BUCS!

Founding Member

Oct 11, 1999

7,266

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Napalm, AZ

Jul 20, 2004

#3

• Jul 20, 2004

• #3

unplug the taillight harness and test it, that will atleast tell you what half of the car the problem is in

 

Wart

I'm Mad as HELL and I'M not Gonna Take it ANYMORE!

Founding Member

Sep 1, 1998

408

3

58

NE Ohio

Jul 20, 2004

#4

• Jul 20, 2004

• #4

I stay out of electrical threads, cars about 30 years old with who knows who doing who knows what to the harness(es)/ loome(s), not to mention normal chafing.

Reads to me like you have a dead short.

Happy hunting.

 

UnbridledFury

Founding Member

Oct 22, 1998

165

1

0

Parkland, WA

Jul 21, 2004

#5

• Jul 21, 2004

• #5

Wart has a good point. I'd also remind you that there are a couple of ground wires under the dash that might have gotten loose. I remember when I had to change out the entire dash, I had a problem with the blinkers. I found that a ground wire had not been connected and my problem was solved.

The guy that had the car before me (1975 - 1981) did a butcher job with some of the wiring under the dash. That did not help matters any.

Hope you find the cause. Electrical problems can be tough to find.

 

fourone3

New Member

Jul 18, 2004

27

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0

Western Mass

Jul 23, 2004

#6

• Jul 23, 2004

• #6

Hmmm... I did notice that the sockets for the bulbs were all the same except two or three. One of them has glass around it that looks like it holds the bulb in, but the glass is broken.

I'm thinking of re-doing the entire car soon... but I wanted to get this gremlin out so I can get it inspected. Is there anything I can do to hook some blinkers up just long enough to pass the inspection?

 

Wart

I'm Mad as HELL and I'M not Gonna Take it ANYMORE!

Founding Member

Sep 1, 1998

408

3

58

NE Ohio

Jul 23, 2004

#7

• Jul 23, 2004

• #7

fourone3 said:

I'm thinking of re-doing the entire car soon... but I wanted to get this gremlin out so I can get it inspected. Is there anything I can do to hook some blinkers up just long enough to pass the inspection?

Click to expand...

Why not try to find the problem?

 

fourone3

New Member

Jul 18, 2004

27

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0

Western Mass

Jul 25, 2004

#8

• Jul 25, 2004

• #8

Oh, I will try and find the problem. I have to. But just as a one day thing so I can take it to get the passing sticker I wanted to just hook something up temporarily. Then I'll take it back and dig more into it.

 

Mstng2

Founding Member

Jun 27, 2002

789

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19

- - Zion - -

Jul 25, 2004

#9

• Jul 25, 2004

• #9

Wart hit it on the head, sounds like a short, look at the wires where they pass through the body for rub through as well.

 

Wart

I'm Mad as HELL and I'M not Gonna Take it ANYMORE!

Founding Member

Sep 1, 1998

408

3

58

NE Ohio

Jul 25, 2004

#10

• Jul 25, 2004

• #10

I would find and fix the problem.

 

fourone3

New Member

Jul 18, 2004

27

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0

Western Mass

Jul 28, 2004

#11

• Jul 28, 2004

• #11

Well I'm gonna give it a try this weekend and see what happens.

 

fourone3

New Member

Jul 18, 2004

27

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0

Western Mass

Aug 2, 2004

#12

• Aug 2, 2004

• #12

I think I've narrowed it down to the breaks... more specifically one break light where the lights work, but not the break light. I replaced the bulb and the socket, but to no avail. There's a brown, green and black wire. I'm assuming the black is a ground, and the brown is for the taillights... so the green should be for the break, right?

 

C

COBRAIIW

New Member

Apr 26, 2003

562

1

0

CT

Aug 2, 2004

#13

• Aug 2, 2004

• #13

you are correct on the wiring colors.
what i find strange is the glass you mentioned. i don't recall ever seeing glass surrounding the socket.sounds like the old broken glass from another bulb!