Electrical Issue

[gsm187]

Once again, I need your help. I discovered an issue with the electrical system this spring when waking my 80B up from its winter nap. I finally have been able to put the time in to try and fix it, but haven't had much success. The issue is the loss of wipers, turn signals, gas gauge, tach, and temp gauge. Everything I've read has pointed me to the fusebox and the 3rd fuse. I've cleaned up the fusebox and changed out the fuses, but nothing. When I switched the brown wire from the 4th fuse to the 3rd just to see, all electrics worked (but remained on regardless of the ignition (key) position.) I think I traced the white-brown wire from the 3rd fuse to the starter relay (?). I disconnected the wires and cleaned up the connections. Upon starting, gauges worked, but when I turned on the turn signal tach/gauges stopped working again. Disconnecting/reconnecting white brown from starter relay(?) got them back only to be lost again. What's next??? Anyone out there have this issue before, or have an idea I can try? Thanks! Gary

 

[DrEntropy]

Start with the battery condition and connections. Make SURE the terminals are clean and the same with the other end of the ground wire: Physically disconnect it from the body, clean it and the place it contacts the chassis well.

 

[Bret]

I'd do some debugging with a multimeter & the appropriate schematic and verify that voltages are present on both sides of the fuse block. I had one go bad on me once – voltage was making it to the quick disconnects but I couldn’t measure any voltage getting to the fuse itself.

If there isn’t any voltage present – use the schematic to see where it is coming from. You could have a faulty relay, an old deteriorated and/or high resistance wire, a loose or corroded connection, a bad crimp or even the ignition switch itself.

Whatever the case using a schematic you should be able discern where in the circuitry your loosing the voltage. I mean if you know you have 12v at the battery but none at the fuse you should be able to split the circuit in two and follow the electrons or lack there of.

Good luck!

 

[gsm187]

Thanks for the recommendations, I'll try and track it down today. Gary

 

[tony barnhill]

Another thing I've found that helps is to remove the fuse block from the car & clean the bolt where its attached to the inner fender.