How to track down wiring problems?
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How to track down wiring problems?
Can anyone tell me a good way to track down wiring problems?
My main problem is no brake lights, the turn signals were not working, but now they work. Not sure why they wouldn't work before and now as of tonight they started working, I did nothing. I was in the process of looking for a new turn signal switch. Could that be bad intermittently?
Also, when I turn on the headlights while the truck is idling it will die. If I keep it revved up it won't die when I switch the headlights on.
I don't know much about auto electrical but can use a voltmeter and ohmmeter. I just don't know what wires go where and which connections to test.
Any advice.
thank you,
Wade
My main problem is no brake lights, the turn signals were not working, but now they work. Not sure why they wouldn't work before and now as of tonight they started working, I did nothing. I was in the process of looking for a new turn signal switch. Could that be bad intermittently?
Also, when I turn on the headlights while the truck is idling it will die. If I keep it revved up it won't die when I switch the headlights on.
I don't know much about auto electrical but can use a voltmeter and ohmmeter. I just don't know what wires go where and which connections to test.
Any advice.
thank you,
Wade
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
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From: **** hole San Jose ca.
These old truck the tail light socket get corroded and sometime even need replacing. Check voltage at the socket contacts. If none unplug at the pigtail then recheck. Also these light switches need replacing and ign. switches go out too. Even high & low beam switch I've had to replace. If light flicker or go out when using high beam. Check alternator out put it may have a bad diode and not putting out enough voltage with a short in your light wiring circuit.. my 2 cents
orich
orich
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: North Pole, Alaska
It can be real fun when you find out that your high beam switch is bad when you are going down I-84 at night, going through a curve at 65, flip your high beams down to low beams and all your lights go out. That led to some serious foot stomping till they came back on. I replaced the switch the very next day.
As an aside, from an electricians point of view, work on only one circuit and narrow that down to one wire at a time so you won't create a bunch lof wire spaghetti. And work from one end of the circuit to the other, not in between. Start at the battery side and work to the bulb, or vice versa, but do it in a straight line taking voltage measurements at several points down the line.
As an aside, from an electricians point of view, work on only one circuit and narrow that down to one wire at a time so you won't create a bunch lof wire spaghetti. And work from one end of the circuit to the other, not in between. Start at the battery side and work to the bulb, or vice versa, but do it in a straight line taking voltage measurements at several points down the line.
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Thanks for the advice, I think I will just start replacing all the old stuff anyway. I'll keep looking for the wiring issues as I go and will start with all the sockets.
I've heard some mixed reviews about some of the cheaper made in China turn signal switches, any recommendations where to get one of those? I'll save that job for last since it appears to be a bit more difficult to do.
I've heard some mixed reviews about some of the cheaper made in China turn signal switches, any recommendations where to get one of those? I'll save that job for last since it appears to be a bit more difficult to do.
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I was just thinking, the alternator puts out less amps at idle right? So maybe that is one of my issues, an alternator going bad. The engine will die when I turn my headlights on at idle, but will stay running if the engine is revved up when I turn the headlights on.
That doesn't solve my brake light problem, but I'll just start fixing each problem one by one.
That doesn't solve my brake light problem, but I'll just start fixing each problem one by one.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: NH
Check the charging circuit wiring also.
I had an isse on the '72 with not being able to run w/o a 13V battery or booster pack hooed up to it. I redid all the charging system wires (all under the hood near the battery), put a new Voltage regulator in and all works fine now. I did notice after all that the altinator was not charging. I reved it up a bit and the altinator started charging (putting out 14V). So you could have a Voltage Regulator problem with it not telling the altinator to put out juice.
As for the tail lights. I had one out and while fooling around with the tranny I found a broken wire on the frame rail near the tranny x-member. All the wires in that area were covered in grease and oil and grime. Might want to check that area out.
I had an isse on the '72 with not being able to run w/o a 13V battery or booster pack hooed up to it. I redid all the charging system wires (all under the hood near the battery), put a new Voltage regulator in and all works fine now. I did notice after all that the altinator was not charging. I reved it up a bit and the altinator started charging (putting out 14V). So you could have a Voltage Regulator problem with it not telling the altinator to put out juice.
As for the tail lights. I had one out and while fooling around with the tranny I found a broken wire on the frame rail near the tranny x-member. All the wires in that area were covered in grease and oil and grime. Might want to check that area out.
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