68 midget. No horn, headlights, turn signals

[kbrown1752]

The running lights and tail lights work. Dash lights work. No wipers, headlights, signals, or horn. My guess is to replace the signal cluster but is there anything I should check before I replace these?

 

[Bayless]

Funny thing, each of those you mentioned not working are all on separate circuits. I think you 68 is essentially the same configuration as my 67 anyway and that is how it works. Is this a sudden change or are you restoring one that you don't know the history? Do you have a decent wiring diagram?

 

[JPSmit]

always check the grounds first - black wires

 

[kbrown1752]

Funny thing, each of those you mentioned not working are all on separate circuits. I think you 68 is essentially the same configuration as my 67 anyway and that is how it works. Is this a sudden change or are you restoring one that you don't know the history? Do you have a decent wiring diagram?

The Car is new to me. Just started tinkering with it. All the things not working have the steering column switches in common. the 4 fuses are good. That's why I was thinking that the switches are the culprit.

 

[bobhustead]

Bayless' point is that 4 switches, or 4 electrical devices or the separate power supplies to them almost couldn't have failed at the same time. Thus a ground is likely the culprit. Crank into the mix that the horn switch completes the ground (horn devices always hot), and you have a probable ground issue. Make sure all grounds are clean and tight, including body. The body, engine, and frame are all connected together by substantial cables and one or another of them is connected to the ground side of the battery.
Bob

 

[kbrown1752]

Bayless' point is that 4 switches, or 4 electrical devices or the separate power supplies to them almost couldn't have failed at the same time. Thus a ground is likely the culprit. Crank into the mix that the horn switch completes the ground (horn devices always hot), and you have a probable ground issue. Make sure all grounds are clean and tight, including body. The body, engine, and frame are all connected together by substantial cables and one or another of them is connected to the ground side of the battery.
Bob

Thank you sir.

 

[Bayless]

All the comments about "check the grounds" are spot on, especially for these cars. The headlight switch is fed directly from the voltage regulator by a brown/blue wire and is not fused, at least from the factory. In first position it feeds the side (parking) lights, tail lights and panel lights, all of which seem to be working. In second position it also feeds the headlights through the dimmer switch. The ground for that is on the right side inner fender, again on my '67. The ground for the wipers should be a black wire at the wiper switch. I'm pretty sure this is true even if you have 2 speed wipers. The horn is a purple wire from the fuse box to the horn then a purple/black wire back to the horn button. There is a contact ring inside the cover that connects to the turn signal switch and from there is a black wire that goes to ground for the horn and turn indicators. There probably is a ground wire at the turn signal flasher too. Hope this helps.

 

[kbrown1752]

Bayless' point is that 4 switches, or 4 electrical devices or the separate power supplies to them almost couldn't have failed at the same time. Thus a ground is likely the culprit. Crank into the mix that the horn switch completes the ground (horn devices always hot), and you have a probable ground issue. Make sure all grounds are clean and tight, including body. The body, engine, and frame are all connected together by substantial cables and one or another of them is connected to the ground side of the battery.
Bob

That will be the first place I start. Thanks guys.

 

[kbrown1752]

All the comments about "check the grounds" are spot on, especially for these cars. The headlight switch is fed directly from the voltage regulator by a brown/blue wire and is not fused, at least from the factory. In first position it feeds the side (parking) lights, tail lights and panel lights, all of which seem to be working. In second position it also feeds the headlights through the dimmer switch. The ground for that is on the right side inner fender, again on my '67. The ground for the wipers should be a black wire at the wiper switch. I'm pretty sure this is true even if you have 2 speed wipers. The horn is a purple wire from the fuse box to the horn then a purple/black wire back to the horn button. There is a contact ring inside the cover that connects to the turn signal switch and from there is a black wire that goes to ground for the horn and turn indicators. There probably is a ground wire at the turn signal flasher too. Hope this helps.

As soon as I get back Home I will look into this. Thanks Bayless.

 

[kbrown1752]

Well It all works. Just need to sort through 55 yrs of Shade tree electrician. I'm surprised she didn't have foil in the fuse slots.