70 chally electrical problem from hell!

Author Topic: 70 chally electrical problem from hell!  (Read 11810 times)

Offline Giveitawack

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Re: 70 chally electrical problem from hell!
« Reply #15 on: April 23, 2011 - 12:52:42 AM »
I used the red LEDs in the picture for tail/turn lights. I have white ones that I will try in the front.
Tail lights, reverse light and front park/turn signals have no clearence problems. Only problem socket is the license plate light. Tried different types of bulbs. Tried to grind the edge but then the internals came loose. The soldering points got damaged. I finally found one that doesn't hit the socket.
I have made my own LED for the glovebox light. It has reversed polarity. Used an empty casing. Soldered a 200 ohms resistor and an ultra white 3 mm LED and filled it up with epoxy glue.
You can probably make your own 1157 red LEDs that fit your sockets and reflectors.




Offline Giveitawack

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Re: 70 chally electrical problem from hell!
« Reply #16 on: April 26, 2011 - 03:10:13 AM »
I have white ones that I will try in the front.
No such luck. Same disco light show. I have resorted to the first LEDs.

Offline Relic

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Re: 70 chally electrical problem from hell!
« Reply #17 on: June 01, 2011 - 04:51:59 PM »
Thanks for the replies guys, Ive made some progress.
I replaced the entire turn signal switch in the column and that seems to fix everything with the taillights. The However, now the headlights wont come on unless the brights are on. Andddd the brights still kill the car. As of right now Im just happy I have brake lights, I can avoid driving at night until I resolve the brights issue. That one still has me baffled.
Finn from dodgecharger.com

Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: 70 chally electrical problem from hell!
« Reply #18 on: June 01, 2011 - 07:46:35 PM »
I'm flying from the seat of my pant here, but have you tested your headlight switch?

Mike

1970 Challenger - SOLD
2016 SXT+.  1 of 524 SXT+'s in Plumb-crazy for 2016.

Offline Relic

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Re: 70 chally electrical problem from hell!
« Reply #19 on: June 02, 2011 - 03:53:11 PM »
Good idea, Ill try pulling one from the other challenger to see if that works.
Finn from dodgecharger.com

Offline Bullitt-

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Re: 70 chally electrical problem from hell!
« Reply #20 on: June 02, 2011 - 03:59:44 PM »
If your headlights work at all I would not think it's the panel switch but rather the dimmer switch on the floor.
 Last I checked inexpensive replacement switches & pigtails were listed at any parts store .
Wade  73 Rallye 340..'77 Millennium Falcon...13 R/T Classic   Huntsville, AL
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Offline Relic

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Re: 70 chally electrical problem from hell! (PART II!!!!)
« Reply #21 on: July 07, 2011 - 06:32:53 PM »
Hey everybody! I'm back with more fun and games.  :clapping: :woo:

I forgot what exactly I did to get to this point, so Ill just update you all with a story that contains elaborate use of emoticons.


Relic had managed to keep the brights on without killing the car.
Relic is  :)
However, now the headlights wont work. They only come on with the brights.
Relic is  ???
But really, who needs headlights anyway? Time to drive! 
Relic is :burnout: all over town.
Stopped at a red light, Relic is feeling   :bigshades:
*sniff, sniff*
Hmm, smells like something is burning?
Cedar wood chips maybe?
 :nono:
Suddenly, Relic is  :22yikes:
Smoke is coming out from the top of the gauge cluster.
Fast forward a bit.
After several stops on the way home to let everything cool off, its finally in driveway.
Relic is a combination of  :bricks1: and  :swear: and  :pullinghair: and  :( and  :o and  :eek7: and just plain  :walkaway:


FEAR NOT!
I have regained my motivation and decided to do a little  :working: on it today.
I had noticed my alternator gauge had been pegging out previous to the gauge cluster smoking (I know, I know, shame on me) and upon inspection today I noticed it wasn't moving at all. In fact, the needle is all curled up and fried. There were no burned wires on the back side of the gauges (which is good because that's a brand new M&H harness), they were just really hot to the touch. I replaced the voltage regulator drove it around again today. I took it to Kragen/Oreilly's to see if they could check my battery and alternator. They checked it and tested fine but as I drove away I got to thinking. They only tested it at idle where it was getting 13.something volts. Should they have tried it at various RPMS? I don't know anything about electrical but that seemed logical to me.  Now obviously my gauge isn't working but it started smoking again on the way home.
Now I am coming to the real experts for help!
 :chatting:
 :1zhelp:
Many thanks in advance and, as always,  :cheers: all around.


Finn from dodgecharger.com

Offline Relic

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Re: 70 chally electrical problem from hell!
« Reply #22 on: July 09, 2011 - 06:06:53 PM »
I talked to a couple people about this issue and there's been suggestion that the amp gauge is not able to keep up with the alternator (which has been replaced and I believe it is a 60v). Anyone know the specs on the original gauge??
Finn from dodgecharger.com

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: 70 chally electrical problem from hell!
« Reply #23 on: July 10, 2011 - 09:54:19 PM »
the ammeter is good to 60 amp , the factory alts were 60-70 amp , are the connections good at the ammeter ? have you tried just jumping the ammeter

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline Relic

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Re: 70 chally electrical problem from hell!
« Reply #24 on: July 12, 2011 - 04:02:11 AM »
I have not, what should I be looking for when I jump it?
Finn from dodgecharger.com

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: 70 chally electrical problem from hell!
« Reply #25 on: July 12, 2011 - 11:26:32 AM »
the guage will quit working but if there is a problem with the guage it will eliminate it & supply a reliable source of power to the rest of the system

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline Giveitawack

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Re: 70 chally electrical problem from hell!
« Reply #26 on: July 12, 2011 - 12:03:12 PM »
I have made the bypass. A wire from the alternator to the starter relay. A fuse holder with an 80 ampére fuse. Will be more than enough to charge the battery. In case of a short the fuse will blow and not cause any fried wires. The amp meter will now show mostly discharge. All the charging will flow through the bypass.

Offline Relic

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Re: 70 chally electrical problem from hell!
« Reply #27 on: July 13, 2011 - 08:55:40 PM »
I like the bypass! I will get started on making one tonight.
Finn from dodgecharger.com