electrical gremlins (1 Viewer)

[jmylie]

I've got a short in my electrical system and do not know where to even start looking. (86 HJ60)

When it rains (and it's really raining), if my dome light is controlled by opening my door, the dome light will come on with the door closed. If I turn on my parking / headlights, the dome light will go off.

Well, yesterday it got stranger. With everything off, my parking and instrument cluster lights come on when I step on my brake.

Oh, and the dome light goes off.

Where does the power for all these systems come together and where can they be crossing?

I need to find this while it wet as it will go away once the weather dries.

Thanks for any help.

 

[_Walker_]

hummmm that seems very odd indeed! if it was just the dome light id suggest looking at all the door switches first, however with the rest of the story I think id also want to unmount the fuse panel and see if there is anything obviousally wrong. Other than that, perhaps the issue is from a number of different sources, has anyone done any "creative" wiring on the truck before (poor stereo, alarm, etc install?)

 

[canucksafari]

I would look for a water leak from your window seal coming in at the base of the A pillar and running down to your fuse panel. I kept on having a fuse blowing a few weeks ago while driving on very salty wet roads. Found that there was a small trickle of salty wet water hitting it. I stuffed some paper towel at the bottom of the A pillar and the window and it has solved the problem - at least until I can have the window resealed.

 

[Tapage]

Fortunatelly your HJ60 it's pretty simple .. most in the electrical system .. so I place my bet in the fuse box. I will start here coz the dome light and parking light are diferent circuits ..

 

[Walkman]

Good suggestions, also I have seen wierdness like this when a wiring harness has worn (usually due to vibration) and the wires inside short.

 

[rchalmers3]

Here's another suggestion: Check all the instrument ground paths. There's a grounding bolt on the A pillar up behind the fuse box. And there's also a twin ground on the other side of the dash, next to the glove box.
Check them both to make sure they are clean and tight. The bolt can come loose and the currents will seek new paths to make it to ground. Including other circuits.
A poor ground connection and a water leak can cause spectacular "gremlin" types of displays! Most "gremlin" type problems are poor grounds, in my experience.

Rick

 

[Big Blue 84BJ60]

i second the grounds make sure youve got metal touching metal and also check the grounds going from the block to the batteries (the copper wire before the elecrical crimp connector) mine was so badly corroded the starter hardly turned over and my head lights would flicker some new 2 guage cable and soldered connections (not the sh**y crimp ones) and all is golden