We Have Our First Gremlin-not the car

[crobertson1]

While driving the other night in the '93, we noticed the "Brake" light and the "ABS" light were both lit up on the dash. Then I noticed the turn signals and brake lights were inop. "Great" I thought. So, we got it home and it sat for a few days because it had started snowing and weren't driving it anyway. So today after the snow melted off it, I replaced the 20 amp fuse in slot 13 I think which is for the hazard lights. So, I started it up-no lights on the dash, tried the turn signal, nothing-now the lights were back on. I pulled the fuse block back out and this time the 20 amp fuse in the 9 slot blew. It's for turn signals, RWAL module and the tach(which we don't have). So, now I am going to have to enlist some help to find out what's going on.



We just got this truck as you might know. There is some "custom" wiring under the dash which I am not comfortable with. It's weird that I drove it before a couple of times with no problems at all. Now, suddenly, it's blowing fuses. At least there is no smoke "leaking " out from the dash!

 

[crobertson1]

Thanks for all your help . I talked to a technician-one of two who I feel comfortable enough to trust with my truck-and he suggested to look at the trailer wiring. So, I just took it off. It was kind of Mickey Moused anyway. Not that there is anything wrong with Mickey Mouse of course! Anyway, the problem seems fixed. We'll see.



Craig

 

[TKingsbury]

This is the first time I've seen this post, or I'd have chimed in sooner. I had the exact same thing happen to me. I found that when I started the truck, the key didn't return to the "run" position. It was kinda hung in-between the run and start position so it wasn't cranking the starter but there wasn't any accessory power either. I don't know if this could be your problem or not, but that's what happened to me. Just have to make sure the key returns fully to the run position.

Travis. .

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

I REALLY suck at electrical... as the guys will tell you but.....

Are you hearing/seeing/sniffing anything odd from/around the headlight switch. ????

They are a common problem. If it is failing shorting or arcing it will trip your fuse(s) I think...

The obvious ones are check all grounds, though they don't normally cause a fuse to pop... Your ABS/brake light issue may be the sender/connection at the rear differential. . someone else can best direct you to that.



I hope you get it fixed bud... ... jump in guys... !!!!

 

[crobertson1]

Hey, I was just kidding guys about the "help". I know electrical problems are hard enough to diagnose in person, let alone over the internet!



Anyway, when I get a chance to drive it, I'll see if it's fixed. I think it is because before I removed the trailer wiring, when I kept my foot on the brake for a while, like driving down my driveway or at a long stop light, it seemed like something would get hot and blow the fuse. Yesterday, I had it running and sat there for like 5-10 minutes with the lights on and my foot on the brake and all was well. I hope it was that simple.



Pastor Bob, sweet truck. Why are you called Pastor anyway? Are you really a pastor? Those hunting pictures look COLD.



Craig

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

"... ... Pastor Bob, sweet truck..... "



Hey thanks Craig... it takes a bit 'O wax on wax off but it does look good when I'm done... trouble is I'm so Kacked out it takes a day to recover so I can drive it...



Why are you called Pastor anyway? Are you really a pastor?



Well that's kinda funny really... One night, in here, I posted about a couple dialogue lines from John Belushi's movie, The Blues Brothers. .

I commented about "... . Our Lady Of Acceleration don't fail me now... "

After that someone commented about pastor bob, or something like that... ever since it's been fun to play with that so, no, I'm not a real pastor but, it is fun in here sometimes...



"... . Those hunting pictures look COLD..... "



Yup, that was a cold trip... in fact it got so cold it was not safe to touch metal things... at least not with your bare hands anyway... always remember to keep yer rifle very lightly oiled and the clip loaded so you don't gotta fiddle with sticky bullets/fingers... hmmmm,,,there's a good 'tune' in there somewere. .



pastor bob... . O. L. O. A. C.



edit: OH, you'll learn about the RWHP penance you'll have to pay when you git into trouble in here too... right guys

 

[Greenleaf]

I concure...

... ... ... ... Pastor Bob REALLY sucks at electrical. ECJay can tell you about the HP penalties



I removed my dash and sealed it with silicone caulk to prevent any further loss of smoke.



GL

 

[Philip]

I removed my dash and sealed it with silicone caulk to prevent any further loss of smoke.

]



:-laf :-laf good one Scott.

 

[okayred]

Hey I know that this is an old run, but did you ever gitter fixed? Mine is having the same problem and I actually did have some smoke that leaked out while I was at a stop light with my blinker on.



Mine is still blowing the fuse for the brake lights and the ABS and BRAKE lights are showing up on the dash each time. You guys should thank me that the price of fuses will probably drop soon due to the dozens I have bought trying to diagnose this!



Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Bluebird]

abs/brake lights...

Do the ABS/BRAKE lights go out if you rev the engine a little? My experience with this is when my front brake pads were down to about 20% the abs/brake light would come on. After I replaced the pads all was well. Just my $. 02.



Have great safe and insane Holidays to all TDR folks, Patrick

 

[mysteryman]

wiring problems

This is a serious problem. Removing the trailer wiring might have fixed it but you need to check for further damage... Many of these trucks have been lost to electrical fires caused by trailer running lights being wired directly threw the trucks harness...



Pull your fuse box down and look for a pink wire with a red stripe. See if it is burned or discolored . Especially where the spade connector is crimped to the wire... The next place to check is the headlight switch plug... . Look for the same things there... Replace any and all discolored or burned connectors or wires... DO NOT USE CRIMP connectors in the middle of wire runs... Use solder and shrink tubing to make any splices... I normally solder the crimp spade connectors also just to be sure I got a good connection there...

Thanks for all your help . I talked to a technician-one of two who I feel comfortable enough to trust with my truck-and he suggested to look at the trailer wiring. So, I just took it off. It was kind of Mickey Moused anyway. Not that there is anything wrong with Mickey Mouse of course! Anyway, the problem seems fixed. We'll see.



Craig

 

[rumblefish]

This is a serious problem. Removing the trailer wiring might have fixed it but you need to check for further damage... Many of these trucks have been lost to electrical fires caused by trailer running lights being wired directly threw the trucks harness...

Is this also true of using the trailer wiring adapter that plugs into the "T" at the taillights? I've used these on a few of my trucks and have not had a problem. Are they ok or am I just lucky?

 

[crobertson1]

Hey I know that this is an old run, but did you ever gitter fixed? Mine is having the same problem and I actually did have some smoke that leaked out while I was at a stop light with my blinker on.



Mine is still blowing the fuse for the brake lights and the ABS and BRAKE lights are showing up on the dash each time. You guys should thank me that the price of fuses will probably drop soon due to the dozens I have bought trying to diagnose this!



Any help would be appreciated.

The fuse blowing problem was due to the left fender having been damaged in an accident at one time. The left side marker/turn signal light wire was chaffed on a peice of metal that had not been repaired. It would rub the metal and short out and blow the fuse. That was an easy fix after my brother suggested that it may be something like that. You might check to see if you can find an area that's been damaged and repaired. It wasn't the trailer light wiring, but my brother re-did it for me anyway. He's good with electrical stuff which I don't even mess with.



The lights on the dash come on when I have my foot on the brake for a minute like coasting down my long steep driveway or at a long stop light. I think it's vacuum leaking down.





Good luck.

 

[PToombs]

Jeff, probably lucky. The light switch won't take the load that trailer lights add on it, causing a meltdown. That's why you hear about putting in a heavy wire run off a relay for tail and trailer lights.