Lighting issue

T

TTag06

New member
71 Scout II
345 auto

I recently acquired a 71 Scout II that hasn't been inspected since 06. To my surprise the lights/blinkers all worked. My ocd kicked in when the passenger side blinker indicator wasn't working. As I started jacking with the speedo dash pod things started to get weird. First the blinker stopped working. I replaced as many bulb holders on the back side of the pod as I could and got them working again. Next thing I know the brake lights stopped working. I replaced the brake pedal switch and got them going again. Then I noticed the dimmer switch was shot so I replaced it... All good on the dimmer switch... Now the headlights will come on but the tail lights/license plate light wont (which all worked before I started cooning around in the dash). I re grounded the harness at the back of the vehicle, repaired 1 splice and inspected the harness which all looked good. My question is, do the indicator bulb holders behind the gauges have any impact on the overall circuit, or did I inadvertently pull some wires loose under the dash? Seems like all the issues started when I pulled the bulb holders out. Thanks for the help.

T
 
Since you were working behind the dash, first things I would check from what you described are the conector on the head light switch, and all the connectors on the back of the fuse holder. Make sure they are seated well. Next I would look a the rear lighting bulkhead connector that goes through the firewall high on the passenger side. You want the connector without the two big 10 gauge wires in the center, they go to the ameter, and that connector is for the engine compartment and front lighting. Make sure the pins are relatively corrosion free and tight fiting.
 
The external lights do not depend on the instrument/indicator bulbs to function. You witnessed the proof before you removed the speedo cluster. As you stated, initially all external turn signals were functional, yet the dash indicator for one side was not. That wouldn't be possible if either system depended on the other to function.
 
I've got it narrowed down to one of the bulkhead connectors under the dash. The connector on the passenger side that goes to the rear harness has been "improved" by the previous owner. I checked and replaced the connections. I wiggled the light switch connector and got the tail/headlights to work. Now the blinkers wont work at all and the brake lights quit. Hazards still work. I'm going to replace the ts resistor fuse today to see if that fixes one of the problems. If not its on to the blinker switch. I'm thinking there is a connector loose behind the spedo pod. It just doesn't make sense that all worked until I shoved my hand behind it. Are there any ground behind the dash that I should be aware of? Last time I screwed the gauge pods in some of the circuits began functioning again.... My thought is it either helped with a ground or put pressure on a connector in just the right spot.... I don't think there is a short anywhere because the harness is in great shape considering it is 43 yrs old!
 
Sounds like you are making some progress. There is a long connector usually in a clip on top of the steering column that the blinker switch goes through, make sure its plugged in good. If you decide to replace the blinker switch, do yourself a favor and plug the new one into this connector and try it before you install it. I have an old damaged one that still works I use for this check. To install the new switch, the steering wheel and the round retaining spring with the steering lock grooves in it has to come off, requiring a special tool. It is agravating to say the least to remove the little circular wire retaining clip that holds the spring - even with the special tool (directions to make one are in the service manual). Check the fuse block. Use a volt meter or test light and make sure there is 12 volts on both ends of the fuses, and then make sure its getting through to the terminals on the back. Trust me, people curse and replace these fuse blocks for a reason. I ended up pulling mine out, masking the writing on the front, sandblating all the terminals front and back, then soldering all the connections on the back that have rivets conncting them to the front.
 
Mystery solved... For now. It was the connection between the steering column harness and the main light harness. Thanks for the help guys. On to the next problem
 
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