fuse blown?

[70Tom]

So I think I blew a fuse this AM. I started my car (70 Sport Fury) with my radio on and the iPod running and I heard a slight click. After that my fuel and temp gauges stopped working, and I don't think my turn signals work either. Everything worked up until that point.

Because I'm going to have to change this out in the parking garage after work and it's dark, I'm pretty sure there's a fuse for the dash panel? Just want to double check before crawling under the dash in my work clothes.

Thanks

 

[Davea Lux]

The radio, turn signals and instrument cluster are all fused. Problem is, they are usually all on different circuits, so it would be unlikely that they would all blow out at the same time. You may have a problem with either the harness or the fuse block. Sorry.

Dave

 

[70Tom]

Ugh. Dave, would it be the dash harness that is potentially the issue?

 

[Davea Lux]

Ugh. Dave, would it be the dash harness that is potentially the issue?

If the dash harness is shorted, it could have caused you problems. I would check the fuses first to see if they are actually bad. You could also have a loose connection on the power strip at the back of the fuse block that feeds the fuses for the various circuits.

Dave

 

[Fury440]

Where was the ipod plugged in, cigar lighter? Maybe something loose behind that plug in?
Push all the bulkhead connectors to make sure they are all tight.

 

[70Tom]

Where was the ipod plugged in, cigar lighter? Maybe something loose behind that plug in?
Push all the bulkhead connectors to make sure they are all tight.

I had my radio converted by Gary Tayman, so it was plugged into the AUX jack on the radio. It was playing when I turned the car on. I have no idea if that specifically caused it, but figured it might have been a possibility.

It's also been raining here the last 2 days. First time I've driven the car in the rain.

 

[Fury440]

This could easily end up being a first class head scratcher.

I would start by checking all the fuses, hopefully one will be blown. Note it is not uncommon for a fuse to just fail due to age/vibrations/bad solder etc. so if you find a bad one just replace it and see if it blows again before spending a lot of time chasing circuits. The worst fuses for self destruct are quick or fast blow because the fuse material is under spring tension.

Rather than worrying about it, I replaced all my fuses with brand new slows blows, ie no springs.

 

[Big_John]

I just looked at the FSM.

You didn't say you lost your radio, but you haven't corrected anyone that assumed you did, so I also assume that it's not working.

The radio, gauges and turn signals are on one 20 amp fuse. Just one fuse...

My theory would be that the iPod may be just a little too much for a busy circuit, especially when turning on.

So... Turn the radio off and then replace the blown 20 amp fuse. Leave it off until you get home and then see if you can get the fuse to blow again. If it doesn't blow, it's just a fluke... Fuses get easier to blow with age. If you do get it to blow, then consider an alternate circuit for the radio and iPod.

I would really expect that the converted radio draws about the same current as the old radio, but I really can't say that for sure.

 

[70Tom]

I just looked at the FSM.

You didn't say you lost your radio, but you haven't corrected anyone that assumed you did, so I also assume that it's not working.

The radio, gauges and turn signals are on one 20 amp fuse. Just one fuse...

My theory would be that the iPod may be just a little too much for a busy circuit, especially when turning on.

So... Turn the radio off and then replace the blown 20 amp fuse. Leave it off until you get home and then see if you can get the fuse to blow again. If it doesn't blow, it's just a fluke... Fuses get easier to blow with age. If you do get it to blow, then consider an alternate circuit for the radio and iPod.

I would really expect that the converted radio draws about the same current as the old radio, but I really can't say that for sure.

Thanks for checking John. I plan on pulling the fuse when I get out of work and checking it. Hopefully that's the issue. Another hour to go....

 

[Big_John]

I couldn't find a good picture of the exact fuse block in your car, but this is close. It should be location #5... or at least the lower corner anyway.

If you look in your FSM on page 8-168. From the fuse block, lower left side, follow the wire X12-81R* up to the radio. You'll see it splices with D1-18BK and runs over to the turn signal flasher. It splices to G1-18BK and runs up to you voltage limiter for the gauges.

FWIW, I print out a copy of the wiring diagram and keep it in my car.

 

[70Tom]

Great. Thanks a ton for that. It'll definitely help, especially as the parking garage looks like a dungeon inside.

 

[70Tom]

Ok so the “Radio” fuse-bottom right on my fuse block was blown. Replaced it. Everything worked. Drove it to meet a friend. Parked the car. Get back in after an hour, try to start it. Absolutely nothing. Turn the key, nothing.

I open the door and decided to try and turn the key. Starts right up.

Something is obviously wrong. And it just started happening.

 

[Fury440]

Maybe you've got Christine's baby sister!!
Better watch what you say around her!

 

[Davea Lux]

Ok so the “Radio” fuse-bottom right on my fuse block was blown. Replaced it. Everything worked. Drove it to meet a friend. Parked the car. Get back in after an hour, try to start it. Absolutely nothing. Turn the key, nothing.

I open the door and decided to try and turn the key. Starts right up.

Something is obviously wrong. And it just started happening.

Check your battery cables to be sure that they are not corroded. Sorry I steered you wrong earlier, did not have the FSM in front of me.

Dave

 

[70Tom]

They’re not corroded at all

 

[Big_John]

Absolutely nothing. Turn the key, nothing.

What is "absolutely nothing"?

Did you have dome lights? Did the engine just not turn over?

Since you have some rain, there might just be a little gremlin that the moisture has woke up.

 

[70Tom]

What is "absolutely nothing"?

Did you have dome lights? Did the engine just not turn over?

Since you have some rain, there might just be a little gremlin that the moisture has woke up.

I didn't check my dome light, but aside from that I got nothing. No power at all. It was as if the car had no battery in it.

Had to drive to another location and after several hours, it started fine.

 

[Davea Lux]

I didn't check my dome light, but aside from that I got nothing. No power at all. It was as if the car had no battery in it.

Had to drive to another location and after several hours, it started fine.

Usually if you have nothing at all, it will either be a battery cable or a bad fusible link. Check the ground where it hooks on to the engine block and the body ground connector. Then check the connections for the fusible link for looseness or corrosion. The link will sometimes corrode where it hooks to the positive battery cable. If you have some #10 wire and some large alligator clips, make up a wire that is long enough to span the fusible link between the battery and the starter solenoid. The next time you have nothing try spanning the fusible link to see if the car will start. If it starts, you know the fusible link is open someplace.

Dave

 

[jct]

FWIW, I print out a copy of the wiring diagram and keep it in my car.

I sort of did the same thing but i have the pdf service manual on my phone

 

[Slantsix]

Check connector below steering column.
burnt ignition wires.