wiring problems

[Roy B]

Hello all, I'm new here, just got a new (to me) Scout 2, its a 1980, mfg in 9/79, 4x4, 345 4bl, auto. The former owner swapped out the steering column for one out of a older(unknown) IH. Most of the wiring was hooked up when I got it but the old column apparently didnt have as many wires, of course both plugs were cut off so its spliced wire to wire. The only gage that works is the ammeter. Anyone have any suggestions where to start? I know thats not alot of info but wiring is really my weak point. Any help is greatly appreciated. Oh yeah, all the wires are green, dont know if thats how they are supposed to be or if its all homemade. Thanks,
roy

 

[RobertC]

Best to get the IH service manual for your Scout II ....

All the wires are green, but if you look closely, you will see stenciled white numbers on the wire. The numbers match the circuit numbers on the correct (year) wiring diagram -- have read IH made many wiring changes in later year's scouts..

 

[Michael Mayben]

We don't mind posting wiring diagrams on occasion to bail folks out of a jam. But to do so for a '78>'80 Scout II is simply not feasible. Those vehicles are significantly different from the earlier sii, most especially the model year 1980 vehicle.

IH began to modernize and break out the vehicle schematics into related wire runs beginning in '78. The wiring diagram for the 1980 is nearly twenty pages and is in large print format which is very easy to read and follow.

You really need to acquire a cts-2313 truck service manual which is a two volume set. It is the only set that is correct for the '78>'80 sii>

the "fan" connector for integrating the steering column wiring with the vehicle harness is supplied with the steering column when it was sourced through saginaw. That is a common GM electrical system (tun signals switch, four way flasher, horn, cruise control, etc.) inside the column which is color-coded. The IH wiring follows common truck industry practice of numbered wire runs with most all wiring insulation done in either green or black. Both the early and the later sii steering columns used the fan connector, however wire runs/pin outs did change over the years, some versions have an additional fusible link incorporated into the column harness that is not shown on any wiring diagram.

I'd highly recommend that you spend some hours reading through every thread here in the electrical sub-forum, virtually any electrical issue encountered for the sii has been covered in depth previously. There is much commonality between the Scout II electrics and the pickups and travelalls, but there are also many significant differences, this is not a case where "everything is the same".

Eliminating the fan connector is a common practice when moving steering columns around. And that connector is known to be marginal in quality, it's common to see both male and female components have been grossly overheated and burned resulting in poor connections. The accepted repair is to simply properly splice the wire runs using insulated disconnects that are crimped in place.

 

[Craig]

The green wire numbering system is very easy to follow. IH gave wires a range. 0-10,20-30, ect. So you read the number and you know what system or group its for. Fwiw I found that the grounds are the scouts down fall. You are going to have to pick one gauge to fix and work that issue. Its possible solve other issues in the process.

 

[Roy B]

Thanks for the responses, I did notice today that the wires are numbered. Pulled a tail light socket out to check the bulbs and found the socket completely corroded and broken, same on the other side, I guess I'll fix that first so I can tell if I do get everything else right. Found some sockets from a blazer that look like they'll work. I'll definitely look into getting that manual as well.

 

[Michael Mayben]

thanks for the responses, I did notice today that the wires are numbered. Pulled a tail light socket out to check the bulbs and found the socket completely corroded and broken, same on the other side, I guess I'll fix that first so I can tell if I do get everything else right. Found some sockets from a blazer that look like they'll work. I'll definitely look into getting that manual as well.

It is absolutely no problem to find replacement "pigtails" for your light buckets in any full service auto supply. Those are "universal" type parts that all oem manufacturers used. And if you reed through these threads you will find this same issue addressed over and over.

Whenever I bring one of these rigs onto the place for refurbishing, I gut out all the lighting apparatus sockets/pigtails and start with new ones. The stuff is to cheap to screw with "clean up". That includes the side markers and the front parking/turn signal pigs also. And...you must refurbish all ground points or you will be chasing inop lighting forever due to "false grounds" and "feedback grounds".

You are going to encounter multiple issues throughout the entire electrical system, that is why it's imperative to have a schematic and component location identification guide for this vehicle.

 

[Roy B]

Thanks again for the help. I found the po had a mitchell wiring diagram in the vehicle and have been going off that, it is for a 1980 s2. I have made some progress, the crazy thing is the factory bulb sockets, the turn signal sockets (for a 1157 bulb)have 4 wires going to them and the backup lights (for 1156 bulb) have 3! Wtf?! Every one I have seen has either 2 (single filament) or 3 (dual filament). The diagram I have shows 2 and 3 wire connections. I have the front turn signals working, all the marker lights work and the rear running lights work but not he brake light or turn signal, which would be the bright side of the bulb. The backup lights dont work and the front turn signals flash at about double speed. Again thanks for all the help!