Author Topic: Electrical Gremlins - I hate em....Help!  (Read 918 times)

Offline t1971Chally

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Electrical Gremlins - I hate em....Help!
« on: May 30, 2013 - 11:37:26 PM »
Guys,

Tonight I went out and backed my 71 Challenger out of the garage and flipped on the lights.  I noticed that my dash, console, running lights, and tail lights were not working.  Headlights, turn signals, and brake lights all work. 

Any ideas where to start.  Most of my wiring is brand new and the lights did work at one time.  I stored several car show items like fold up chairs and tent along with cleaning supplies in the trunk so I am not sure if maybe they slid around some and may have caused the problem.  I have checked the connections and I do not see any issues. 

The other thing I noticed when I checked the fuse panel is that the lower left fuse labled "misc" was blown.  I replaced it and it blew immediately.  Not sure if the two are related.  Any ideas?

I must warn you electrical stuff is NOT MY FORTE by a LONG SHOT.  So while I ask for help please be patient with me.

Thanks...

Twiles
Ted
1971 Dodge Challenger 440 Magnum
:cheers:




Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Electrical Gremlins - I hate em....Help!
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2013 - 08:41:27 AM »
Sounds like you have a short somewhere in the system , you could unplug the wire harness behind the kick panel on the dirvers side & see if the short stops that would narrow it down to rear or front only  , it could be anywhere from the front turn / park lights or fender side lights , behind the dash or the wrong wire plugged into a tri plug near the radio or any of the rear lights or a wire caught by a trim screw somewhere .

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline Jesus H Chrysler

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Re: Electrical Gremlins - I hate em....Help!
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2013 - 09:44:42 AM »
 :iagree:  First things first, do NOT replace the fuse with a bigger one to see what happens.  You let the smoke out and nothing will work after that.

Since you have a few issues your best bet is to try to isolate where the problem is.  A blown fuse usually means a hot (positive) wire is touching ground directly where it's not supposed to.  The car has many wires and pinch points which makes troubleshooting difficult.  Step one is to do what Chryco said, disconnect the rear wiring harness bulkhead behind the drivers side kick panel.  This takes all the taillights out of the circuit.  I would also disconnect the front light harness from the firewall to eliminate those.  Now when you replace the fuse, you'll be isolated to just the dash lights etc.  If the fuse blows again, you know it's somewhere in there (Dash lights, console light, switch wiring etc) so you know where to start looking.  If all is well at this point, shut off the lights and connect the front harness again.  Turn the lights on and see what happens.  If this blows the fuse look to the front.  If it passes now you know it's the rear harness.

If you have new harnesses, check for loose terminals on both ends (plugs and sockets)  I replaced my taillight harness and one bulb socket had an end crimped at a wierd angle I had to straighten out.  It was in a position to short out against the housing, which is grounded.  I don't know if that's your issue or not, but something to look for.  Also if your car was recently restored, check for pinch points or areas where stuff could shift (trunk etc) and pinch the wires or rub them to expose the wiring.  Happy hunting!
Yes I own a 1972 Dodge Challenger Convertible T/A S/E with a 440 Six Pak. Can it get any more wrong?

{OO /===\ OO}
(OO==> <==OO)



Greg, in the middle of MA has:
1970 Dodge Coronet 440 "Zom Bee"
1972 Dodge Challenger convertible 440 5 speed.
1973 Dodge Challenger 318 "Brown Bomber"
2012 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic Blackberry Pearl.
2001 Jeep Wrangler locked, lifted and lighted.  "Jeep is a registered trademark of Chrysler Corporation"

Offline magicr

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Re: Electrical Gremlins - I hate em....Help!
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2013 - 12:01:59 PM »
My sons 71 Dart had the same lights fail as yours, and it ended up being a bad headlight switch.  :dunno:


1973 Challenger Rallye
1971 Dart Swinger (sons)

Offline 73Chally

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Re: Electrical Gremlins - I hate em....Help!
« Reply #4 on: May 31, 2013 - 07:38:28 PM »
I had a single bad fuse that caused the exact same lights to be out. That would be my guess.

Offline bandt

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Re: Electrical Gremlins - I hate em....Help!
« Reply #5 on: May 31, 2013 - 08:49:47 PM »
Had the exact issue you are having I had a short in the wiring harness going to the back of the car. The other thing that caused the same fuse to blow was having the wrong bulb for the license plate.


Brian

Offline t1971Chally

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Re: Electrical Gremlins - I hate em....Help!
« Reply #6 on: June 01, 2013 - 05:18:42 PM »
Hey guys,

First, let me say thanks for all the suggestions and help!  I finally got a chance to try some of your suggestions.  So, I went out unplugged both of the main wiring harnesses on the firewall.  I then installed a new fuse, turned the switch to the on position and no blown fuse.  I then plugged in the front wiring harness, still no blown fuse.  I then went out and installed the last wiring harness and no blown fuse, plus now the side lamps and tail lights were working.  So, not sure but I am assuming the one of the plugs was not fully clipped in causing the problem.   

Your thoughts?

Thanks again!  Seems like the problem is gone...

Twiles
Ted
1971 Dodge Challenger 440 Magnum
:cheers:

Offline Jamiez

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Re: Electrical Gremlins - I hate em....Help!
« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2013 - 05:21:55 PM »
It's possible one of your wires has some missing insulation that sometimes allows it to contact the body which would ground it and pop the fuse.  I had a similar issue once.  You should inspect all your harnesses and wrap any exposed wires in electrical tape (or just replace the harness if possible).

Offline dodj

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Re: Electrical Gremlins - I hate em....Help!
« Reply #8 on: June 01, 2013 - 09:51:02 PM »
Unfortunately, I think your problem is just gone for now. Like CP said earlier, you have/had some kind of short to ground in the cct with the blown fuse. I agree with Jamie in that you should inspect your wiring closely. Probably the rear lighting harness would be the one producing the most problems. :2cents:
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
Good friends don't let friends do stupid things. ........alone.