C2 Electrical Problems

[Mark P.]

I replaced the under dash wiring harness on my 66 becuase several lights and gauges didn't work due to faulty wiring that was in poor condition. It was pretty straight forward, and the original problems have all been corrected but now I am having two different issues that I'd like to get some advice on.

First, my left turn signal works, but the right front turn signal light (only the front light) also comes on and flashes when I turn on the left. It also stays on until I turn the car off. The right one operates fine (both front and rear) independantly when turned on if I haven't already turned the left signal on and it will turn off just fine. I checked the switch in the column and I saw that it keeps going even when no contact is made, so nothing is stuck in the switch.

The other issue is that I no have no instrument panel illumination when the headlights are on. I can't get them to turn on and in fact. the fuse blows when I try to turn them on. The headlight switch has been replaced and it makes no difference. I can't imagine that these problems are related, but I'm definitely open to suggestions.

I'd really appreciate any advice I could get. If it's straight forward, I can usually trouble shoot it, but this is a little beyond me (frustration wise...now I'm not seeing any solutions, just problems) and I wondered if anyone has experienced this before.

Thanks again for all the help in the past, and hopefully a solution this time, too!

Mark

[Timothy B.]

Re: C2 Electrical Problems

Mark,

Try unplugging the left front parking lamp assembly and see if this corrects the dash lights and blinker. There is a short and by turning on the dash lights you are also turning on the parking lights in the front and that light socket may be the source both problems.

[Mark P.]

Re: C2 Electrical Problems

I tried unplugging the left front parking lamp assembly, but it didn't make a difference. It would seem to me that they could be different issues because the fuse blows on the dash lights, but the turn signals seem to work fine, that there is a short somewhere that is independent or that the wires are somehow crossed somewhere. The fuse is still blown on the dash lights when the turn signal issue occurs.

I have questioned whether or not the new Lectric Limited wiring harness is faulty, but short of taking the entire thing out again, I don't know what else to do.

Any other ideas?

Mark

[Bill S.]

Re: C2 Electrical Problems

i would talk to their tech people. that is suposed to be their hallmark. i hope they are good as i just bought a engine forward harness for a 66.

[Randy R.]

Re: C2 Electrical Problems

Regarding the signal light problem, I have had strange things happen to trailer lights that have been traced to bad grounds. I suggest that you check all ground connections.

Randy

[Mark P.]

Re: C2 Electrical Problems

Randy,

I have also heard that improper or faulty gounds are the cause of many electrical demons. I'll double check the grounds and call Lectric Limited. I have put in several harnesses of theirs and have always been very satisfied with the results. Hopefully, they'll be of some help.

Thanks,
Mark

[Wayne W.]

Re: C2 Electrical Problems

Open grounds dont cause fuses to blow. Looking at the wiring diagram there are two places where the wires could get together. The front bulkhead body connector, and the steering column connector. Look at these for proper wiring and installation. It is easy to get a prong bent over on the body connector. If it has hazzard flashers, there also could be a common point. You didnt replace any bulbs with the wrong bulbs did you? Bulb sockets are common problems when crossovers occur with brake or turn signal circuits. The dash light circuit is tied to the tail light circuit for safety reasons. When you dash lights are out, you are likely to see and fix the problem.

[Mark P.]

Re: C2 Electrical Problems

Wayne,

I already looked at these areas but will look again. I just can't see any reason that there would be a problem. It all looks good. I also can't imagine that the harness would have been put together incorrectly, but I suppose anything is possible. Again, when I see a problem arise where there wasn't one before, I tend to look at only the things that were changed. Obviously, that would include a lot of areas to check when the entire harness is replaced, but I didn't see any issues when I put it all back together.

I also thought of the bulbs because I replaced them all, but they all appeared good and I checked the numbers as I installed each one. I could have made a mistake, but I don't think so. I'll do some additional checking and see what I come up with.

Thanks for the advice.
Mark

[Randy S.]

Re: C2 Electrical Problems

Mark,

Have you fixed it? Was the harness faulty?

Randy

[Mark P.]

Re: C2 Electrical Problems

Not yet. I double checked a few things and still no results. I'll be calling Lectric Limited to see what they say tomorrow. I've been out of town on business, so it's put a cramp in my schedule. I hate it when business gets in the way of my cars.

Mark