Electrical issues

[86ComancheXNate]

Well I've been having some problems with everything lately. I guess I'll just list them.

 

Headlights and dashlights pulse.

The radio works but if I turn it up past a certain volume it cuts out or if I put the turn signals on the radio will cut off.

My front right turn signal works but my front left one doesnt.

 

Any suggestions for solutions to this problem?

[HOrnbrod]

Aftermarket radio? Unplug it and see if your lighting problems disappear.

[86ComancheXNate]

stock radio.

 

I have no idea what the problem is. I thought it was my ground wire from the battery to the starter because it was shreaded and covered with oil near the starter but I replaced it and nothing happened.

[HOrnbrod]

Check your main dash board ground connection. It is a #12AWG black wire that attaches to a metal bracket behind the lower dash cover, left side near the AC vent used to cool the driver's legs. It's about 3" from the driver's foot well courtesy light.

 

If you lay on your back and look up at the courtesy lamp you should see the sheet metal attachment screw. Make sure the connection is tight and corrosion free.

[86ComancheXNate]

well I just checked and I can't find a light? Is it underneath the steering column?

 

I looked and theres a lot of spliced wires and some capped ones. The previous owner jerry-rigged a switch for the blower motor underneath the stearing column near the light switch.

[HOrnbrod]

You probably don't have the courtesy lights then. Look for a black wire attached to the dash support bracket with a sheet metal screw in the lower left corner of the dash. It's behind the lower dash panel.

[86ComancheXNate]

I think I found it and it looks fine? :-/

[86ComancheXNate]

I'm just lost at what to do to fix it.

[86ComancheXNate]

I got a battery test and my battery is fine.

[sinkrun]

Clutch fluid leaking on the fuse box??

[86ComancheXNate]

I checked and there's nothing dripping.

[HOrnbrod]

I think I found it and it looks fine? :-/

 

Just because it looks fine does not mean it is. Trace the wire out to the distant end and make sure it's connected to a good ground. Disconnect the wire from the dash bracket and check it for continuity to ground with a ohmmeter.

[86ComancheXNate]

its hard to trace the wire because it joins a a large group of wires wrapped up in electrical tape.

[86ComancheXNate]

and its an automatic. would there be clutch fluid dripping into the fuse box?

[HOrnbrod]

its hard to trace the wire because it joins a a large group of wires wrapped up in electrical tape.

 

Disconnect the wire and test it with an ohmeter to be sure it goes to ground.

 

and its an automatic. would there be clutch fluid dripping into the fuse box?

 

No.

[86ComancheXNate]

its hard to trace the wire because it joins a a large group of wires wrapped up in electrical tape.

 

Disconnect the wire and test it with an ohmeter to be sure it goes to ground.

 

 

Is that the same as a multimeter?

[HOrnbrod]

Yes. The ohmeter is one of the multis of the multimeter, along with AC/DC voltmeter, ampmeter, etc. Learn how to use it correctly and it will be your best friend.

[86ComancheXNate]

I just went to walmart yesterday. My gma bought it for me but unfortunately I have to wait till tomorrow to open it because she insisted on wrapping it and giving it to me for Christmas.

[ComancheKid45]

Pulsing lights could be the sign of a failing Alternator...

 

The radio likely has a bad circuit inside of it, I had 1 do the same thing and replaced it with another OEM unit and the problem ceased.

 

Check your front bulb sockets for corrosion and check the tailight ground behind the drivers side tail light. These trucks are notorious for playing electrical games with simply 1 bad ground connection.

 

Good Luck :thumbsup:

[spence]

Check the fuse box connections for corrosion. I had a similar problem. My fuse block connections were so corroded that the plastic on several of the fuses was starting to melt. The resistance was enough to cause the headlights to dim, the turn signals to not work, the running lights and backup lights to not work, the radio to turn on but not work, etc.

[91coMANche]

You could also just buy some battery cable and run some extra grounds to the firewall. I just bought two and plan on running them to the firewall but on the engine side of the firewall to the block and to a fender.

 

Also, if you look at the back side of the radio you will see a threaded port in the middle. I don't see it doing anything so I plan on threading a ground cable to that and then adding another ground to the firewall off that.

[Akula69]

As Don said, 90 % of electrical problems are associated with the grounds. Along with the one he mentions there is a ground wire that is at the top of the headlight switch. You will need to reach up into the dash to check it however, as you cannot see it unless you partially remove the dash. It will be at the very top of the headlight switch.

 

Good luck