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Losing My mind, need electrical help fast

  • Thread starter Thread starter stang2b
  • Start date Start date Jul 5, 2009

stang2b

Member
Sep 21, 2004
44
0
7
Mississippi
Jul 5, 2009
#1
  • Jul 5, 2009
  • #1
I have a 1992 Mustang GT, the windows, the radio, and the wipers all work without the key in the ignition or even in the car for that matter, I have went back over the harness back and forth, and tried another ignition switch and everything is still showing power for some reason, Is there anything I am over looking or any things I also need to check, cause its killing my battery, the car is all stock cept for an aftermarket radio and amp, wired correctly using the wiring harness adapter, and just finished a 5-speed swap, unplugged everything new and its still powering, any help will be greatly appreciated.
 

jrichker

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Jul 5, 2009
#2
  • Jul 5, 2009
  • #2
Troubleshooting battery drains:

Typically it is something draining the battery. Small things like glove box or courtesy lights are often the culprits. If you have an aftermarket stereo or alarm system, it is also suspect.

The ideal method is to disconnect the negative terminal, and connect a Digital Multimeter (DVM) between the negative terminal on the battery and the negative cable. Set the DVM on a low current scale of 2-5 amps if it doesn't auto range. Watch the current draw, and then start pulling out fuses. When you see a sudden drop in the current, that circuit is the likely culprit. Note that the computer, radio & clock will draw less than 1/10 amp to keep the settings alive.

See http://assets.fluke.com/appnotes/automotive/beatbook.pdf. You will need the Adobe Acrobat viewer which is also a free download – Adobe - Adobe Reader download - All versions
 

TechSteele

New Member
Mar 8, 2009
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0
North Coast
Jul 5, 2009
#3
  • Jul 5, 2009
  • #3
Dont know how, but somehow, you got the power feed comeing from a hot, and not from a "Key On" line.

Like he said, running through the fuses will at least give you a starting point.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
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Jul 6, 2009
#4
  • Jul 6, 2009
  • #4
Double check your radio harness wiring for a crossed memory and ignition wire connection. It sounds like you have a battery source backfeeding the circuit. All those circuits are powered by a blk/lt green wire at the ignition switch (there's the probable commonality).
 

stang2b

Member
Sep 21, 2004
44
0
7
Mississippi
Jul 6, 2009
#5
  • Jul 6, 2009
  • #5
Update:
I have tried the multimeter and pulled each fuse one by one, and the only change was when the dome light fuse was pulled, but the radio still stays on. and the wipers and windows still work without the keys, tried replacing the solenoid and the ignition switch but no changes even pulled out the steering column to look for any stripped wires, on the ignition switch harness I tested each wire one by one, and there are 2 thick yellow ones that are constantly powered and right under them is a double wire plug with blue/orange and what looks to be blue/tan, is still showing power, can't figure out what they are for, but they are hard connected to the black/green in the harness and with them being powered, they power the black/green. I tried to find a schematic of the ignition switch harness and the only one I found was on veryuseful.com and the two wires in question is not listed.
Any thoughts on these?
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
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129
Jul 6, 2009
#6
  • Jul 6, 2009
  • #6
Did you check that Blk/green wire? It probably shows constant power and it should not.
 

stang2b

Member
Sep 21, 2004
44
0
7
Mississippi
Jul 6, 2009
#7
  • Jul 6, 2009
  • #7
the black/green is showing power because its connected to the blue/orange and the blue/tan wire in the connector when the ignition switch is plugged in, what are those blue wires to?
 

ID89GT

10 Year Member
May 26, 2008
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Spokane Valley, WA
Jul 7, 2009
#8
  • Jul 7, 2009
  • #8
I know the blue and orange wire goes to the wiper motor, idk what else, but I know it ends up there, because I just wired in a new motor in my car and I remember that being one of the wires.
 
L

legwound

New Member
Jun 24, 2009
4
0
1
Jul 7, 2009
#9
  • Jul 7, 2009
  • #9
bit of a hijack here

I'm looking for key on power (about 2 amps or less for my radar detector) and don't have a wiring diagram handy I'd like to tap in from the fuse box (93 lx).

any suggestions on which circuit/color wire to tap into?
 

TechSteele

New Member
Mar 8, 2009
60
1
0
North Coast
Jul 7, 2009
#10
  • Jul 7, 2009
  • #10
Go to the Auto Parts Store, and ask for a Fuse Tap.
It gives a second fused wire in a single fuse space.
It has 2 fuse spaces and one red wire comming off it. It plugs into on of the exisiting fuse spaces.
 

stang2b

Member
Sep 21, 2004
44
0
7
Mississippi
Jul 8, 2009
#11
  • Jul 8, 2009
  • #11
After all the testing and trial and errors finally found the real problem. my son helped with the swap and when he dropped the steering column the wires in question pulled out of a harness and he saw an opening that he thought was where they came from and put it in the ignition connector but as it was they actually go to a connector on the multiswitch and control the flash to pass. thanks to all for the help just finally glad to finish everything at last
 
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