hey - I am not totally MIA.. sometimes I lurk, but don't log in and post :) But I am around and still active with my FJ no doubt. As I told Hugh, been into building and shooting my ARs more and more so spend a lot of time with those and of course, as I have for 20 years and sometimes mentioned...
just a follow up
so, it seems, best I can tell after all that was done, was that it was the ignition switch.
starter was fine, battery replaced, alternator was fine, ran all wires down and never found a bad wire. The 1 thing that was changed was the ignition switch and I have had no issues...
#1 - it is correct. if you wire it wrong, say put the always hot lead on an only hot when car is on point and thus put the only hot when car is on lead onto an always hot point - it will not work. And of course, no ground no nothing. Pretty easy wiring. so the fact it just stays solid now tells...
So, for years I have had a simple fake red flashing LED on the dash (3 wire - one to always on power, one to power source active only when vehicle is on, one to ground). Recently, I had a bunch of electrical issues I "think" I got squared away - new ignition switch on the way.
So anyway, my...
well, for better or worse, I used my plan, buttoned it all back up section by section, and all seems to work after getting all the wires re-taped, zip tied, protected with split loom, labeled, and put into place. Now I just wait for the new ignition switch as that really seems at least 1 of the...
well, I guess I will start to button this all back up.
My plan is (1) I ordered a new ignition switch and (2) I will button up little by little and check and see if all still works and then button up more then check again. Since I have no idea what "fixed" it, maybe if I button up sections of...
not gonna say they "suck" but I went to buy an ignition switch (maybe a 1-2 ounce item) for 19.95 and they want a whopping 10 to ship it... shipping is 50% of price of item!! wtf!
okay.. I understand the "ignition switch" wiring now as I took it apart. I did not take the switch itself apart yet, just pulled it from cylinder to see how it works.
I did your test with the test light at the switch points and sure enough, as I turned key it went from 1, 2, 3 points light up...
when you guys are talking "ignition switch" - which is a total wiring component - replace that?
or are you talking the Ignition Key & Cylinder?
I am going to check ignition wires on down right now.
of the 2 wires.. we examined the one that goes to the starter. it is fine.
the other I only really ever followed to the firewall, which I am pretty sure I said earlier. We never seemed to focus on it farther. I also pointed out, I do not even see this fusible link.
Though I conducted the tests...
anyway we can be sure of this before I do look at doing that? any tests I can perform to verify and be definitive. AND would the ignition switch even cause all these battery drain, short, spark issues?
also, anyway I can fix what I have? Are you talking the ignition cylinder and key or the...
no - checked it again. and checked for tears or anything else. nothing. actually, it touches nothing between battery and starter.
no, the big B+ wire from the alternator is not connected to the battery.. it heads off into the cabin - where to, I am not sure. but not direct to the battery...
simple :) I have now spent hours hooking up batteries, trying to charge, test, run wires down.. it actually seems rather difficult.
not leaving battery connected. just quick on and off when testing as fst as I can to minimize drain/use..
will gladly take photos, but of what exactly would it...
I have not left the battery connected... no doubt. only connect for a minute at a time as I run tests.
I have those 6 wires attached to the + post.. I just tried all of them 1 at a time as you suggested and here is what I found.. 1 of the wires caused a spark and started up my stereo. removed...
I did the test as you asked, yes. I got the numbers I reported here. Unless I did something wrong in my test, but I think if you reread, it seemed clear what you asked, what I did, and what I reported. Agreed?
I have the test report. They hook it up to that machine and it just says "PASS" and...
what would you like to see?
Page #2 has the alternator photo - speaking of which, could that be the issue? The reason I ask is that I had to get the rig in the garage to make it easier to work on since it was outside. So, I went ahead and hooked up the starter and brand new Optima battery and...
UPDATE: we were wrong. the starter is totally fine. passed tests 100%.
Now what?
I have a perfect starter and a brand new battery, but I am afraid to hook up the battery as I bet the moment I do, it will start to fry. If jumping it from the car direct to the rig causes melting/smoke, then...
I just kept it easy and let costco swap me for a new one. So, got another red top.
once I get the starter swapped, will post up and report on what the result was.