'92 Dash gauges acting "crazy"

[Whitefirstgen]

OK so here is what is happening:

2 of the 4 lights in the "square cluster" are ON

Brake and anti lock - on permanently

water in fuel and wait to start - act normal

Every now and then when the headlights are turned ON:

all analog gauges peg high or low

both green turn signal arrows come on solid bright

speedo does not work

dash lights go OUT

I am not sure if the 2 are linked together but the bigger issue is obviously when i turn the head lights on a appear to get a direct short in the system. I am not sure why a fuse does not blow, but it doesn't. It happened twice during a rain storm so i thought it was related to water, but last night it did it with absolutely no rain. I have the shop manual and have been trying to find a common link in the wiring but i can't figure it out.

any ideas?

Mike

 

[dodgenstein]

Check all your grounds.

 

[Simplysmn]

Check your ground's and also put your headlight's on Relay's .By doing so it takes the major power load off the headlight switch and makes your headlight's brighter also.

 

[Whitefirstgen]

Update - so i read a bunch of old threads on the anti-lock light. Based on this I disconnected the black box RWAL behind the glove box. That light went out and the brake light got ALOT dimmer. I then disconnected the wire to the parking brake switch and now both lights are out. So first problem is mostly likely with the RWAL box, that box also feeds a lot of stuff - any chance it could be causing the other issue?

Also - need more details on check your grounds. Do you mean verify that they are making a good solid connection? Like 0 ohms? Or is there a better way to check them. Lastly - I would think there are numerous grounds - any likely spots that have been a problem where I should start?

Thanks
Mike

 

[Simplysmn]

The ground's behind the dash and the 1 on the fire wall and also the core support they are the Main 1's

 

[B.G. Smith]

Most if not all of the ground wires will be black, maybe one or two black with orange stripe. Just remove the screw holding them in place and take a file or good wire brush and shine up the area where they contact the metal. bg

 

[Whitefirstgen]

thanks - i will give that a try.