70 Yenko Electrical Help--PLEASE!!

[rcc]

When the car arrived, I noticed that the turn signals did not work. I found an orange/cream pigtailed wire in the trunk that was not connected. I connected it and the turn signals started to work although neither green indicator in the instrument cluster showed either light as working---that's when the real problems started!!

Now, the turn signals do not work and the running lights ( all 4, front and rear) stay continuously "ON". I had to disconnect the battery to keep it from going dead.

Ideas? Help!

Rick

[earntaz]

OK Rick -- start with the simple stuff. Disconnect the neg terminal on the batt and jump the connection with an amp gauge to see how much draw there is. If it is very low -- that normally would indicate a light circuit such as the turn signals.

Next, with a test light connected between the battery terminal and the battery cable (I like using the light) you'll attempt to isolate what circuit is draining the battery. In a perfect world, the only thing that should be drawing any current with the key off, doors closed (interior lights off) will be the clock and possibly the radio (if it is aftermarket with a memory) At this time suggest removing the bulbs from all interior lights -- dome and under dash if equipped.

With the test light still connected and remains on, pull the fuse that controls the clock and radio. Test light should go out. If not, start pulling the fuses (one at a time and watching the test until the light) goes out. When that happens, that is the circuit that is still active.

This is a start -- Good luck -- hope this helps. TAZ

[rcc]

Hey Taz;

Great suggestions! Hooked up the 12v test light. Pulled each fuse, one at a time. The light went out when I pulled the 20 amp--STOP-HAZ fuse on the bottom left of the fuse panel.

Next suggestion--I'm pretty electrical illiterate!

Rick

[earntaz]

OK -- make sure the Hazard sw is off. Then pull the hazard flasher and swap in a good one ... sometimes those things go bad and stick to the on position but will not flash.

Standing by.

[earntaz]

Also -- you indicated you found loose wiring in the trunk area. What wires were disconnected (color). Have you a wiring diagram for the rear of the car?

[rcc]

OK, OK, you're going to love this one. I plugged the 20 amp Stop/Haz fuse back in. I then connected the neg battery cable to the battery. The running lights in the front were out. However, the rear running lights remained on. I pumped the brakes several times and now ALL lights and turn signals work correctly.

But, I now don't have a dome light and the green turn signal indicators in the instrument cluster still don't illuminate when the turn signals are activated. And, the Hazard switch is inop.

Suggestions?

Many thanks,

Rick

[rcc]

Hey Taz;

I've attached a picture of the Orange/Cream pigtail connector in the trunk. I've not reattached it.

THX,

Rick

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/07/full-19914-45637-img_2189.jpg

[earntaz]

That is for the dome light -- runs up behind the sail panel above the head liner to the dome light. Pull the cover off the dome light and make sure the contacts are good and nothing toasty ...

[rcc]

Yep! Plugged in the wires and the dome lamp lit up!

Now, I'm down to two: Hazard switch is inop ( I will buy and replace the flasher tomorrow) and the green turn signal indicators in the instrument cluster are inop. They don't flash, they don't even light up.

Suggestions?

Taz, you're doing great!!!

Rick

[earntaz]

OK -- under the dash on top of the steering column you'll see a flat connector with multiple wires. Makes sure that is plugged in good. The only other thing is the switch in the column for signal lights, etc. If that switch is tango uniform if may need replaced. Before that though, get a wiring diagram and check power using it.

I hope there are others reading this that may have more suggestions ...

Do you have a wiring diagram?

[rcc]

Hey Taz;

Dark here now. Will check the steering column connectors tomorrow. I do not have a wiring diagram. Where and how quickly can I get one?

Rick

PS: Will continue to keep you posted--many thanks!

[earntaz]

I've got one for a 71 Nova -- shouldn't be that much difference ... I'll try and get it copied tomorrow and FWD to you.

Something just occurred to me -- do you know how many years ago it was that I helped Mark on this same car? ... the world can be strange at times ... Craig

[rcc]

Many thanks Taz!

Brother, you are right--Your assistance on this Yenko has come full circle from the original owner to a Newbie owner 40 years later. Super small ( but pretty tight amongst friends) world!!

Rick

I look forward to the wiring diagram( and any other of your extremely helpful suggestions). Any other pics of the car that you might like to see?

[earntaz]

Rick -- check your PM box ... I sent you wiring diagrams ... Craig

[Xplantdad]

Way to go Taz! That's what this site is all about <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/youguysrock.gif

[earntaz]

Bruce -- I've gotten MEGA help from the fine folks on this site ... what goes around, comes around. TAZ <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif

[rcc]

Went to my local Napa store this morning and purchased two new 552 flashers. Replaced both the turn signal flasher and the ER flasher. They both work correctly; however, I still have no green indicator lights in the instrument cluster! Suggestions?

I'm now down to just a few, maybe minor ( I hope) electrical issues.

Many thanks to Taz and the other members who have lent a hand!

Also Taz, thanks for the wiring diagram.

Rick

[earntaz]

Check the back of the instrument panel and make sure there are bulbs in the twist-in sockets. Also, check for any green crap (corrosion) on the socket contacts. I think the bulbs are either 153s or 194s. I wouldn't think it would be a bad connection on the instrument panel harness. Do the hazard lights blink on the panel? It still may be a problem with the signal light sw in the column -- they have known to fail. Check for signal light power at the connector on top of the steering column under the dash. TAZ

[rcc]

The external hazard lights do blink. The green indicator lights do not blink whether it's for the turn signals or the hazard lights. You can hear the flashers both working.

[earntaz]

So what you are saying is the hazard lights work front/rear and the left/right signal lights work. The only issue is -- there is no indication on the instrument panel. Correct?

[TDW]

Do all of the other bulbs light up in the dash? If so, you can pretty much eliminate a grounding issue with the board.

[rcc]

That is 100% correct.

[TDW]

I would test both indicator bulbs, then go from there. Can you access the bulbs? I don't remember if they can be taken out without removing half the dash.

[resto4u]

It has to be the bulbs or the dash printed circuit. sometimes the copper melts and the circuit is open with no current making it to the bulb circuit. The dash plug may not be making contact to the printed circuit. I had no dash lights, i unplugged the connector and pulled printed circuit up flat and lightly used a hair dryer just to flatten the bend from being plugged in all those years. I plugged it back in and have had dash lights ever since, going on two years. Roger

[rcc]

Hey Tony and Roger;

Thanks for the direction. While I'm up under the dash checking the integrity and grounding of the light bulbs, please remind me of the location of the printed circuit board.

Thanks,

Rick

[Tidmack]

The printed circuit board will be a sheet laying against your instrument panel that your bulbs make contact with when you plug them in. Be gentle while removing bulbs, as this circuit board is pretty fragile and can tear easily.

Jeff

[earntaz]

Rick -- printed circuit extends from the left to the right side of instrument cluster ... attached is a pic of the dash circuit.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/07/full-10261-45710-printed_circuit.jpg

[rcc]

Thanks for the schematic!

Happy 4th!

Rick <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

[earntaz]

Rick -- I was scanning the wiring diagram and found something interesting. The wires that connect to the dash lights (hazard and turn signal) are paired with front and rear hazard/turn light wiring at the connector going to the column switch. It appears the column switch is working as advertised because you have working turn signal and hazard. As indicated by other members here, the problem seems to be at the instrument cluster connector or with the printed circuit.

Check the wiring diagram I sent you ... TAZ

[rcc]

Hey Taz;

Man, I am about to go crazy with the electrical issues. I had to order the correct turn signal/hazard wiring harness. Should be here the end of this week. I did pull the old one out from the steering column (4 hours R&amp;R). It looked OK so I cleaned it up and put it back in. I did determine that the horn is bad but the relay is good. I found a broken horn part in the steering column and &quot;jury-rigged&quot; it. Still haven't been able to determine if I have a circuit board issue--I will in the next day or so.

OK, here's what happened after I put everything back together. Lights, horn relay, turn signals Haz signal all work correctly . However, once I have reconnected the battery and tried out the lights, etc. the rear end brake lights stay on UNTIL I either R&amp;R the neg battery cable or R&amp;R the brake light/Haz fuse. What in the world is causing this to happen?

Many thanks for all the help and suggestions.

Rick

[earntaz]

This is strange -- if there was a relay involved, I'd say it was FUBAR. However, there is no relay in the light circuit -- just the horn and blower have relays. Make sure the brake light switch is open when the brake pedal is all the way back. Sometimes the switch can get out of adjustment after messing around under the dash. Also, unplug the brake light switch on the brake pedal and check the results. TAZ

[rcc]

Will do both tomorrow and report the results.

[rcc]

Brake switch seems A-OK. Suggestions? I'm pretty frustrated at this point.

Rick

[earntaz]

So if you disconnect the switch the brake lights go out? I'm just trying to determine if power is coming from another source ... TAZ

[rcc]

Hey Taz;

If I disconnect the brake switch in the engine bay ( I believe that it is pressure sensitive) the brake lights stay on!

Rick

[earntaz]

That friggin' circuit is getting power from another source. So you've diconnected the brake light switch under the dash at the pedal and the lights still remain on? TAZ