Ok,now that I got your attention,I am about ready to go wacko on my ole van,I have had no problems with it until just a few days ago when I had the flashers on,I was unloading some stuff,got back in and my fuel gauge and temp gauge was pegged all the way to the right,I thought my engine was overheating and the gas fairy filled my tank,so I turned off my flashers and the guages both mysteriously went back to normal,so I just kept on to my dailey duties. About an hour later I was stopped at a stop light with my turn signal on and noticed both gauges starting to max out again,the light turned green and I moved on and the gauges went back to normal. So today I started to trace all my wires,I cannot find a short,I turned my lights on,turn sginals and flashers the gauges max out,when I just use the brakes the gauges stay normal.While I was tracing wires,I turned on my wipers and they no longer work either,just a buzz from the box behind the dash. I do pull a trailer with the van also, I thought that my be and issue so I unhooked all trailer wiring,still the same problem. Any clues,is thre some wierd control box hidden somewhere??
I will be taking all suggestions!!!
Thanks
dude
www.dudesadventures.com

 

First, welcome to FTE.

For the gauges - How about the instrument voltage regulator? It is on the back of the dash on the left side. A small metal box with a plug on it like a 9 volt battery. From Ford they are about $60 if I remember right. Try a bone yard.

Pull the plug off your headlight switch and check both sides for anything burnt looking. The only other thing I could think of would be the multi function switch (turn signal switch)

Maybe someone else will have some better ideas. You also might try the electrical forum down further. They seem to have a good grip on electric there. Good luck with it.

 

I will have to look a little harder in the morning for the Voltage regulator,I did not see such a thing,but earlier I did pull the plug off the headlight switch,all looked well,I have been wiggling the turn signal switch,nothing happeing there, what throws me off is the wipers quit working,I just went for a drive for about 30 minutes with all the lights on,they all seem to work fine,my dash lights are not working now either,but one thing I noticed was when I turned the headlights on,both inside turn signal lights or on?? The turn signals work though along with the flashers,I just keep thinking a ground somewhere,but I guess a instrument voltage regulator may be the problem.
Thanks for the suggestion,I will get back with my results.
dude

 

Check your grounds, specifically the LITTLE wire from the battery to the body. If it's not connected it will cause all sorts of funny little issues. I think I'd replace all the battery cables just for good measure, chances are it's never been done and they're full of corrosion anyway.

 

Do what pfogle said, I have seen this one before and the body was not grounded.

You may need to run an extra wire (12 GA) from the battery ground (negative) post to the body (not the frame).

The battery ground cable that runs from the negative post to the block has ground lug half way to the block that bolts to the sheet metal to ground the body, this may be the place that your ground is bad. This is the same lug that they bolt to the frame on trucks so they have a ground for trailers.

If someone has moved this to the frame to ground the frame for the trailer then it needs to be moved back or a new ground ran to the body.

 

The first thing to do is replace both flashers with electronic ones, that do not rely on thermal switching, especially since the problem showed up after you used your flashers. Basically, everything electric on most Fords feed through the flashers first (ex. brake switch and lamps).

 

Ok,I will change the flashers this afternoon,because I grounded the crap out of it this morning,no change. Should the flasher change solve the wiper problem also?? I have restored 3 vintage Winnebagos so I am in tune with grounding issues,it can be quite the pain with rusty frames and all. I still think it is a ground somewhere,I have been doing it myself,I may get a second eye on it this weekend,it would not be so bad but I drive it everyday.

Thanks,
dude

 

Well,I replaced the flashers,no luck.
dude

 

Since the gauges went crazy I would suspect a "wrong direction" electrical current in the main instrument. The reason might be a grounding issue but I would also have a closer look at the multifunction switch which directly involves turn signals, wipers, headlamps (high-beam) but indirectly also involves the flashers. A faulty multifunction switch may send current in the wrong direction causing all sorts of funny issues.

Good luck!

-Ekkehard

 

In an '86 the only thing that runs through the turn signal switch are the turn signals, brake lights, and the hazards. I'd be looking at the grounds behind the dash. Then take a look on the back of the cluster for the regualtor. It looks like the top off of a 9 volt battery. Once removed you'll even see the posts. The fact that the wipers stopped working makes me think it's a bad ground under the hood close to the wiper motor.

 

Well,i have looked up and down for that voltage regulator,I had most the dash apart this morning,i just don't see it.
Thanks
dude

 

It is about the size of half a 9 volt battery. It has one screw that connects it to the back of the dash. It is metal with a connector that also looks like the one on a 9 volt battery. It should be left of the speedo.

I think there might also be a seperate ground for the dash that could be bad too.

 

And here is a Image of the location of the regulator:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g91/subford/Electrical/Cluster/VoltageRegInstrument.jpg

 

Thanks I will have to take a look in the morning,I was not looking directly on the back of the panel, I thought it would be on the firewall or just hanging.

Thanks
dude

 

I am suprized no one mentioned to check your blinker fluid level....lol.

You may want to check the engine ground also, along with the electrical plugs under the hood for corrosion.