ok, what did I fry?

[amfw]

Hello. So, i'm new to this forum as well as bronco ownership. I picked up a '76 about a month and a half ago. Ran well until today when i tried to install an amp in it. About the Bronco: its a 76 so it has the power steering and brakes. engine looks fairly stock. looks like msd ignition coil is the only upgrade on there. 3.5" Superlift lift, 32" tires on american racing rims. Have driven it every day since i got it with no funny stuff. About me: Im a 28 yr old bartender in Boston, MA. I also work as a carpenter in my spare time. This is my first bronco, but not my first 1970's vehicle. Prior to this I had a '79 jeep cj7. When I owned the jeep I discovered how useful these forums are and before I bought the bronco I started reading posts on this and other forums. I am not very experienced mechanically. I'll change the fluids and spark plugs, and I replaced a mechanical clutch linkage on my jeep, but thats the extent of my experience. I am willing to get my hands dirty and would like to get into this truck a little bit, so what better place to start than with my first screw up. =) what I did: so with my bronco in very good running condition, i decided to start doing the little things on the interior. I installed a tuffy center console, and today went to install a stereo. I am installing an amp and subwoofer with two 5.25" speakers up front. I am skipping the head unit (so I am without a remote turn on lead for the moment) I disconnected the positive cable from the battery and went to work. Routed the battery cable for the amp through an existing hole in the firewall and around to the amp. Drilled a hole through the floor and ran the ground cable to the frame. So at this point, the amp is wired to the ground and disconnected at the positive end with nothing going into the remote lead on the amp. i go around front and reconnect the positive battery cable with the amp now connected to it. I pop in the drivers seat, turn the key to the on position, the heater fan starts up (so i know it had juice then) but the light doesnt come on on the amp. I think "no big deal, probably just because the remote lead hasnt told it to turn on) So then I try to start the bronco just to make sure everything is still cool and when i turn the key to start, nothing. And now in the on or acc position, nothing. No lights, no horn, no fan, no start. Hello and thanks, Adam

[amfw]

oh yeah, I forgot to add that I have also disconnected the amp from the ground and battery and tried everything again with no change.

[Boba Fett]

You need a test light and a wiring diagram. Most likely you took out the fusable like on the wiring harness near the starter solenoid.

Go get a test light for cars that has a ground clamp and a point. The difference between the cheap ones and the fancypants ones is the Snap On/Matco/MAC variety will have really long groung clamp that you can test underdash wiring with the ground clamp on the negative battery terminal.
The once you determine which one of those little smoothers went bad on you cut it out and replace it with an automotive fuse of the same amperage in a waterproof case and you should be back on the road again
All the wiring you are talking about is direct off the battery. I think it is on one fusable link, which is like a little box on a wire that is connected to one of the side terminals of the starter solenoid.

First use the tesl light gounded to the brake pedal or something to test the fuse panel by touching each side of the fuse holder if you have those old glass junk buss fuses in there. Each side of the fuse should light the test light, if on side doesnt... the fuse is bad. But your problem might not be there.

Put the clamp on the battery and use the point to stab into the jacket of the wiring so that the point comes into contact with the copper wire inside. Try this a bit on the battery cables so you get the hang of it.

Start at the soleniod. The side the wire from the positive post is where you start. If you touch the probe/point to that post if the test light should come on. Then start with the wiring on that side with the ignition off, see which wiring makes the light come active. Then turn the ignition to the ACC mode and check again.
Look for the fusable links and check before and after these links. I think that is where you will find you problem. Once you find out which one of those things went bad on you cut it out and repalce it wuth an automotive fuse of the same amperage in a waterproof holder.

[RCrawler]

Where did you hook the amp power to? Directly to the battery + ?

As BF mentioned, you need to start at the battery and work your way past the starter relay, which is the main connection feed for accessories. If the only connection you made for power was at the battery, and the amp trigger was disconnected, I may suspect at bad connection near the battery...

I have all of the wiring diagrams you need.

Jason

[amfw]

Thanks for the help guys. I got up early this morning and went through the wiring and found that I didnt fry anything and nothing was disconnected. It just took a simple cleaning of the contacts on the battery post and the cable. started right up. then I started over and got the amp installed. as for the remote wire, I just jammed it into an unused harness for the little light panel thats supposed to go under all the heater controls. Now i can turn the amp on or off with the headlight switch, and it reminds me to turn my lights off when I leave the car because the music will still be on.!

I will post pics of the stereo install when i finish up tommorrow!

thanks,
adam

[RCrawler]

Originally Posted by RCrawler

was disconnected, I may suspect a bad connection near the battery...

Jason

Not often does a guy get to toot his own horn...

Glad that you got it figured out.

Jason

[EricJ]

Looks like you bought the 4 wheeler just in time :-). I"m down on the Cape, my '65 F-100 2wd doesn't like the white stuff.

[dodmort]

Where did u put 5.25" speakers up front...???
Cut out something.?
Hang below dash??
Put them in the console?
Fill me in...
Dont want to cut anything in mine...

[amfw]

dodmort, until I get my custom dash situation worked out i actually just set up the 5.25" speakers on the angled part of the floor beneath the firewall. when i got the bronco there were to speakers mounted in cheap plastic pioneer "boxes" mounted beneath the rear seat. I pulled those drivers and put in two nicer ones in the same boxes. the drivers side is a little tight but if they are placed right there is enough clearance for the brake pedal and my left foot on the other side. As for sound, it is pretty good with just the sub and 2 speakers. its lacking a little bit in the mid range department, but I am also running without a head unit and that may be something that a little EQ'ing might take care of. I've been away from the bronco for a few days with the big snow storm and holiday over here, but i'll get you a couple pics by tommorrow.

[amfw]

eric, youre right. I picked up the bronco just in time. I LOVE driving in the snow, and this storm was a great test for the truck. It was awesome, way better than my CJ-7 ever was. Although i do still own a jeep cherokee and that thing is great in the snow too =)

my bronco:



my cherokee:

[dodmort]

I found about the best place for speakers were just below the side rails behind the seats. Kind of like the new big broncs had in the 80s90s...Little exposed but the sound was as good as u could get in a metal body with no insulation...
Ran the wires thru the f. wall. Up on top of the frame. Then thru small holes that were there in the floor.
Were ok till the 480 lbs of dogs i haul around trashed them..
Still have the speaker hole in my dash for that one little one that came with the truck. Maybe can figure out how to utilize that some day (on my 68)
Going to give my 72 to my old roomate from college for his retirement present..