Help, unkown electrical issue!
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Pembroke
alright so i ll perform rolling all the lights back to incandescent bulbs. It does have a plow harness although i ve never used it myself it is in an area that does see alot of road salt , grime etc.. i ll snap a picture of it. Also not sure why but the multifunction switch does not appear to be operating at all anymore , i have hazard lights but only when the headlamps are off , i have all running lights , brake lights reverse lights. I do not have any signal lights flashers are only working with hazard light funtction. i do have another complete steering wheel column with a switch i could swap in.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Pembroke
okay so the flasher undeneath the dash has been replaced , the turn signals howver do not work with the switch only the hazards. So I have the running lights , hazards only with headlamps off , brake lights and reverse lights
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
Likes: 13
From: Sand Lake, MI
Yea the multi function switch was my next suspect they can and do create a wide range of issues, was looking at the diagram and re reading your list of problems trying to get a very clear idea what works what doesn't etc.
If you have another MF switch I'd try it if you "know" its good, if you are not sure you can jumper at its connector with it disconnected testing each circuit using jumper wires narrowing down the issues to it to be sure first.
The plow harness is also suspect to a degree because of how it interacts with the trucks circuits. But back burner that for a moment, depending on model it's "unimount" for example? it is very easily disconnected and removed from the equation if not needed (can be disconnected and left in place for use at a later date if needed).
If you have another MF switch I'd try it if you "know" its good, if you are not sure you can jumper at its connector with it disconnected testing each circuit using jumper wires narrowing down the issues to it to be sure first.
The plow harness is also suspect to a degree because of how it interacts with the trucks circuits. But back burner that for a moment, depending on model it's "unimount" for example? it is very easily disconnected and removed from the equation if not needed (can be disconnected and left in place for use at a later date if needed).
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
Do NOT "back burner" the plow electrics. If you have parking lights and/or headlights on the plow, DISCONNECT them. Generally, with any problem in which aftermarket equipment / mods might be involved, first thing to do, if possible, is to decommission the aftermarket equipment. Then see if the problem persists. Even if it does persist, keep the aftermarket stuff out of the picture until the original problem is resolved. THEN recommission it. This makes for a more controlled troubleshooting process.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
Likes: 13
From: Sand Lake, MI
Don't just buy one test first to verify it is a problem.
You can jumper wires at the connector and test to see if the lights work as they should without it.
If you don't have a wiring diagram I dig one of for you a minute.
For example if you jumper the Lt Blu wire to white-Lt Blu wire pin to pin in the harness connector for the switch, with the key in the "run" position, the right front light and indicator on the dash should flash on and off. Test each circuit the same way though the harness connector to verify they'd all work right if the switch itself was in fact good.
Turn the headlights on, have any effect on the results?
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Pembroke
the plow harness is not in use , and has not been in my ownership it exists only as a plug from the orginal equipment from the factory. after the multi function switch has been changed and is not the culprit will move on to other electrical plugs on the same system
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
Likes: 13
From: Sand Lake, MI
Yes just jumper from one pin to the other with a short section of wire, making the same connection the switch would do if it works as it should.
Those switches can fail internally by failing to make connections where they should or making connections where they shouldn't, causing various lighting issues when it happens.
Testing each circuit only takes a few minutes verifying it as a problem or eliminating it and without paying for a pricey switch you might not need at this point. Part of the process of elimination to narrow down where the problem is and without throwing parts at one to do it.
A cheap haynes manual, one that includes full wiring diagrams is very handy for this sort of thing.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Pembroke
okay so after jumping the first electrical connection orange w lt blue and brn there was a light blue flash from the instrument cluster and nothing seems to work now i assume a fuse on the back panel blew