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Re: Help needed with an electrical nightmare [Re: Paul_Fancsali] #919342
02/03/11 09:01 PM
02/03/11 09:01 PM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 583
NJ
R
rth Offline
mopar
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mopar
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NJ
check for bad batt. just yesterday wifes o4 pacifica won't start.no crank.jump started and noticed dash and int lights dimming and getting bright.put voltmeter across bat and voltage jumping 1 1/2 volts.shut off and connected jumper cables.still jumping.replaced bat and started all normal.

Re: Help needed with an electrical nightmare [Re: feets] #919343
02/13/11 12:28 PM
02/13/11 12:28 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 96
TX
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jeepers007 Offline
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TX
On Jeeps, they run a lot of wires into the door on the drivers side, and over time, those wires break. Might be a place to check, although the only thing you have said that might point there is using the window, and getting warning lights in the dash. It might be a similar problem with Dodges.

Re: Help needed with an electrical nightmare [Re: feets] #919344
02/13/11 01:53 PM
02/13/11 01:53 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,827
Kirkland, Washington
Pacnorthcuda Offline
Too Many Posts
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Kirkland, Washington
Quote:

I replaced the battery to chassis ground. That didn't fix it.
I'm getting 12.5 volts at the battery with the engine off and 14.5 volts with it running.




But isn't that 14.5 volts while the ammeter is reading normal (charge) and NOT bouncing around or showing discharge?
I am thinking dirty/sticky/worn alternator brushes.

Re: Help needed with an electrical nightmare [Re: feets] #919345
02/13/11 06:13 PM
02/13/11 06:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,840
The Swamp
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Sixpak Offline
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The Swamp
How about adding a couple new grounds to rule out the existing ones? I'd run a new one from the block or head to the firewall, and one from the firewall to the dash and/or steering column. I'd also clean the contact points for any electrical component that mounts to any sheet metal in the engine compartment to insure they also have good grounds. Can't have too many grounds...

Re: Help needed with an electrical nightmare [Re: Sixpak] #919346
02/14/11 03:53 PM
02/14/11 03:53 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,068
Irving, TX
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Irving, TX
Digging through the factory diagrams it looks like all in-cab electrical stuff grounds through the body of the healight switch.

I fiddled around with it this weekend. The fuse box has three buss bars in it. One of them runs the door locks and A/C. Both are high amperage consumers. There was enough voltage at the bus to turn on a trouble light.
I pulled the fuse (circuit breaker actually) for the windows and jumped power from another bus bar to the output side of the fuse. The windows worked fine and did not turn on the trouble lights.
This tells me that it's an amperage supply issue and not a ground.
I will have to go through the power supply and bulkhead connector to look for issues. I'm strongly considering replacing the fusible links with fuses.

I guess I'll go through everything while the dash is out. Put the blower motor on a relay, replace the fusible links with fuses, and improve the dash lighting.


We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
Re: Help needed with an electrical nightmare [Re: feets] #919347
02/14/11 05:47 PM
02/14/11 05:47 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,943
Grand Prairie,Texas
stumpy Offline
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Grand Prairie,Texas
Think before replacing the fusible links with fuses because the fuses won't be able to deal with the spikes that links will. The starting draw on some of the acessoties is higher than the fuse ratings.

Re: Help needed with an electrical nightmare [Re: stumpy] #919348
02/14/11 06:09 PM
02/14/11 06:09 PM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
GoodysGotaCuda Offline
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
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Texas
Quote:

Think before replacing the fusible links with fuses because the fuses won't be able to deal with the spikes that links will. The starting draw on some of the acessoties is higher than the fuse ratings.




True on the voltage spikes.

I installed a 100a circuit breaker on my dedicated 6ga charging wire. On two occasions it's tripped for no apparent reason.

I rather click it back over than hunt for a fuse, or wire in a new link however.


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2020 RAM 1500
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Re: Help needed with an electrical nightmare [Re: stumpy] #919349
02/14/11 07:15 PM
02/14/11 07:15 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,068
Irving, TX
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Looking at the gauge of wires they used a 30 amp fuse should work. If it presents an issue I can switch to drop in 30 amp circuit breakers.

There are three fusible links going into the fuse block. I planned on replacing each of them with a fused lead. If I put the blower motor on a relay for high speed it will take a big load off the fuse block. They are known to melt fuses and fuse blocks. My headlamps are already on relays.


We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
Re: Help needed with an electrical nightmare [Re: feets] #919350
02/14/11 07:52 PM
02/14/11 07:52 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 14,471
renton, Washington
ph23vo Offline
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Posts: 14,471
renton, Washington
i agree probable ground problem...pull off the ground at the body and sand it or grind it clean...TIGHTENING A GROUND ISNT GOOD ENOUGH! also test the alternator..maybe a diode is leaking back.. do this before you go any further on the high voltage relays etc.. dan

Re: Help needed with an electrical nightmare [Re: ph23vo] #919351
02/15/11 02:43 PM
02/15/11 02:43 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,068
Irving, TX
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I've gone through the grounds, alternator, and battery.

It's got to be the power source. A bad ground wouldn't suddenly get better when you supply a new power source.


We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
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