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  •  » I hate wiring problems!

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    5/05/2016 6:56 AM  #1

    skunkape
    FYI FORD Member

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    Registered: 1/26/2014
    Posts: 83

    I hate wiring problems!

    Have I told you guys lately that I HATE Wiring issues?
    The story continues, as we last left off, our hero was replacing his under the dash wiring harness because the old system known as "old sparky" went up in flames. This forced our hero to purchase a new system which he promptly begin to install. After many hours of conversing (using adult language) discussing each colored wire our hero thought that he had this situation well in hand, but oh no to his surprise when he attempted to connect the power source he discovered that he was not receiving any power beyond the fuse box. No gauge power, no nothing!
    Any suggestions for the Hero?
     

     

    5/05/2016 7:08 AM  #2

    BobE
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: White Plains, NY
    Registered: 4/04/2013
    Posts: 2,729

    Re: I hate wiring problems!

    Do you have the original wiring diagram, it make things much easier to follow.  Just to clarify, you have power at the fuse panel but none of the individual fuses have power going 'out'?  If so, something is broken in the fuse panel, or all the fuses are blown.
    The best troubleshooting advise I can provide at this point is to follow the power (using a voltmeter or test light) from the battery along the way until you find where it ends.
    And, make sure your grounds are good.  What may appear as a +12v problem may be that the ground path is not properly established.

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

    5/05/2016 7:22 AM  #3

    skunkape
    FYI FORD Member

    Offline

    Registered: 1/26/2014
    Posts: 83

    Re: I hate wiring problems!

    Thank you, I will check all the leads and the ground wires. At this point I will try anything. I hate wiring!
    I have a great suggestion! Can I put my car on a trailer and haul it to the bash? That way I can get all of you guys to help me finish my car.
    Maybe I could start a tradition that every year at the bash we help rebuild someones car. We could start with mine.

       •Thread Starter
     

    5/05/2016 8:27 AM  #4

    GPatrick
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,123

    Re: I hate wiring problems!

    When I am troubleshooting new wiring or a problem with old wiring I use a tail light bulb in series with the ground cable on the battery.  Remove the battery cable and put the light between the battery post and the cable.  This way, you have a current limiting device.  The maximum current can't exceed the current draw of the light.  This helps eliminate fried wires.  if you have a direct short, the light will light up.  When you have an apparent open connection, when you find it and fix it, the light will glow when you turn the ignition switch.   You can do normal troubleshooting with a voltmeter but if you inadvertently cross wires, nothing will burn.  I like to use the light any time I have done a lot of wiring when I am ready to connect the battery.  If the light is off when everything is off (lights, ign, etc.) I know I don't have a direct short.

     

    5/05/2016 8:48 AM  #5

    Michael H.
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Laurel, MS
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 869

    Re: I hate wiring problems!

    GPatrick wrote:

    When I am troubleshooting new wiring or a problem with old wiring I use a tail light bulb in series with the ground cable on the battery.  Remove the battery cable and put the light between the battery post and the cable.  This way, you have a current limiting device.  The maximum current can't exceed the current draw of the light.  This helps eliminate fried wires.  if you have a direct short, the light will light up.  When you have an apparent open connection, when you find it and fix it, the light will glow when you turn the ignition switch.   You can do normal troubleshooting with a voltmeter but if you inadvertently cross wires, nothing will burn.  I like to use the light any time I have done a lot of wiring when I am ready to connect the battery.  If the light is off when everything is off (lights, ign, etc.) I know I don't have a direct short.

    Now that is a neat trick.  Thanks GPatrick!  I will use that in the future.

     

    5/05/2016 9:44 AM  #6

    6sally6
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

    Offline

    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,899

    Re: I hate wiring problems!

    skunkape wrote:

    I have a great suggestion! Can I put my car on a trailer and haul it to the bash? That way I can get all of you guys to help me finish my car.
    Maybe I could start a tradition that every year at the bash we help rebuild someones car. We could start with mine.

    Yeah OK BUTT.........we hate war'in too!!
    6s6
     

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    5/05/2016 10:32 AM  #7

    skunkape
    FYI FORD Member

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    Registered: 1/26/2014
    Posts: 83

    Re: I hate wiring problems!

    Hey GP,  Thanks I will rig that up when I get home tonight. Sounds like a plan.
    By the way "I hate wiring" Give me a welder and a wrench anytime.
     

       •Thread Starter
     

    5/05/2016 3:40 PM  #8

    6sally6
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

    Offline

    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,899

    Re: I hate wiring problems!

    skunkape wrote:

    Hey GP,  Thanks I will rig that up when I get home tonight. Sounds like a plan.
    By the way "I hate wiring" Give me a welder and a wrench anytime.
     

    Yaaaaaaaa...another welder!!
    6s6
     

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

     

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