ELECTRICAL SHORT
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 230
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From: San Antonio
Car: 1984 Z28 T-TOP
Engine: 355 Lt1 w/Hotcam
Transmission: TH700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 4th gen limited slip
ELECTRICAL SHORT
I have seen a couple of posts addressing similar probems, but mine has some very distinct differences.
PROB:
My guages act funny when I apply the brake or turn suignals, but ONLY when in gear. But, only when I initially press the brake pedal. When "inching" up at a stop light, the power is fine. When the steering wheel is turned far left, the power charges great, but only when hard left. I know it wasn't the column, I pulled it and totally disassembeled it.
PLAN:
I am going to pull the gauges today to look at the ribbon circuit.
After that I am clueless. I know it is not under the hood, so that helps, but there is a lot of wiring in this car.
PROB:
My guages act funny when I apply the brake or turn suignals, but ONLY when in gear. But, only when I initially press the brake pedal. When "inching" up at a stop light, the power is fine. When the steering wheel is turned far left, the power charges great, but only when hard left. I know it wasn't the column, I pulled it and totally disassembeled it.
PLAN:
I am going to pull the gauges today to look at the ribbon circuit.
After that I am clueless. I know it is not under the hood, so that helps, but there is a lot of wiring in this car.
Last edited by pimpimusmaximus; Apr 20, 2011 at 10:32 AM.
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From: ft.lauderdale Florida
Car: 1989 IROC Z
Engine: 5.0 tpi. stock [for now]
Transmission: T5
Re: ELECTRICAL SHORT
well, whats the problem? with NO info on anything, other than you having an electrical short, nobody can help.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio
Car: 1984 Z28 T-TOP
Engine: 355 Lt1 w/Hotcam
Transmission: TH700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 4th gen limited slip
Re: ELECTRICAL SHORT
Gauges act funny. Temp goes up when brakes not pressed, but down (to normal level) when they are. The blower switch also affects the temp gauge. each notch on the switch makes increase for the temp gauge. Volt gauge is pegged bottom, but car starts and runs fine. Tach pegged top as well.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,025
Likes: 2,496
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: ELECTRICAL SHORT
Not a "short". A "short", short for "short circuit", is when 2 things that aren't supposed to be connected together, are. This is the type of failure that blows fuses for example. You don't have that. You have the OPPOSITE problem to a "short": 2 things that ARE supposed to be connected together, AREN'T. I supples you could call that a "long"?? 
Sounds like the ground wire that grounds the gauge cluster, is broken. It has a ring terminal on the end and IIRC goes under a bolt near the column. Not impossible that the bolt is just loose.
Definitely a problem with a faulty ground connection somewhere though.

Sounds like the ground wire that grounds the gauge cluster, is broken. It has a ring terminal on the end and IIRC goes under a bolt near the column. Not impossible that the bolt is just loose.
Definitely a problem with a faulty ground connection somewhere though.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,025
Likes: 2,496
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: ELECTRICAL SHORT
The bolt in question is just some one of the ones around the column area. Pop the column out and look around up above it, since it only takes like 10 minutes to change out a column in one of these cars, that'd be AHELLUVALOT easier than trying to fight your way around it.
If I recall correctly, IIRC stands for "If I Recall Correctly".
If I recall correctly, IIRC stands for "If I Recall Correctly".
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio
Car: 1984 Z28 T-TOP
Engine: 355 Lt1 w/Hotcam
Transmission: TH700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 4th gen limited slip
Re: ELECTRICAL SHORT
GOT IT. I found one ring terminal just to the left and above the column. Where would the other grounds be? do I need to remove the gauge cluster to check them?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio
Car: 1984 Z28 T-TOP
Engine: 355 Lt1 w/Hotcam
Transmission: TH700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 4th gen limited slip
Re: ELECTRICAL SHORT
I do know that it is a ground problem. I need to check the dash grounds, but don't know where they are.
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