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Electrical Gremlins. New symptom!

udy2554

udy2554

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Well...I was psyched to mud the Blazer, but it appears I have an electrical gremlin. As soon as the key hits the ON position, I pop the gauge fuse.:doah: There is a short to ground somewhere. I've had the dash apart a few times when I installed the clutch pedal, so now it comes apart again. I have an electric meter showing (beeping) continuity between the OUT side of the fuse position, and ground. So I will start pulling screws and wires until I find which one gives the short.:(

The only things that go out with the fuse are the gauges for volts, temp., and oil pressure.

Anyone have an easier suggestion? I'm not great at searching electric problems, especially under the dash!
 
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Check the printed circuit board connection. I have had it where the printed circuit terminal got screwed up and crossed with the one next to it when i was plugging in the harness.
 
Thanks, that makes sense. I'm back out to the driveway! I do this trouble shooting in the HVAC field. For some reason, I just feel overwhelmed when it comes to vehicles. I've had it plugged and unplugged so many times in the last couple of weeks, it's more than likely I could have bent a pin or something of that nature.

Thanks again for the suggestion!!:bow:
 
New symptom.

I have a new symptom. If I turn the wipers to HIGH, the continuity goes away. If it is in the delay position, or low speed, I still have continuity. It sounds simple, but where do I start now? Obviously in the wiper circuit, but motor, switch in column(oh God no!)?
 
I unplugged all the large plugs that were exposed from the bottom of the dash. I dropped the column and noticed that when my shoulder hit the turn signal switch, the resistance changed. At that point I tried the wipers and cruise switch and found that continuity went away.

So...I don't know which plug would be for the dash circuits, there are only two left on top of the column. The way my luck is running, that would probably be one of the ones you are talking about?
 
I'm talking about the single plug that connects to the gauge cluster.
 
I can't find it in the mess of sh!t I'm makiing. It doesn't even look like that fuse has anything to do with the gauges, but it blows immediately and the gauges don't work.

I hate vehicle wiring.
 
You will have to remove the gauge cluster to get to the wiring i'm tlking about. Sounds like your problem though.
 
Now, the wipers don't work, but the washer pump does. That fuse is fine.
 
BTW, what is the Hot Fuel Module. All the diagrams show this fuse to power that module, then the power goes to the fuel pump relays and such. The truck runs even with that fuse blown. The fuse that blows, as soon as the key is turned, is labled gage/idle. I'm assuming that they just misspelled gauge.
 
OK, got the gauge cluster unplugged, still have continuity and another blown fuse. Also, as long as everything was apart, I verified that there are no pinched or screwed wires.

Scott, I do appreciate your time on this. Thanks:bow:

I'm still lost, I've looked at all the wiring diagrams I can find. Aside from the non-working gauges, I can't find any other problem.

What are the odds it may be INSIDE the steering column. I still have no wipers, but the washer still work. Only the blades don't move.

I think I'm going to put everything back together, then open up the column!:(
 
udy2554 said:
OK, got the gauge cluster unplugged, still have continuity and another blown fuse. Also, as long as everything was apart, I verified that there are no pinched or screwed wires.

Scott, I do appreciate your time on this. Thanks:bow:

I'm still lost, I've looked at all the wiring diagrams I can find. Aside from the non-working gauges, I can't find any other problem.

What are the odds it may be INSIDE the steering column. I still have no wipers, but the washer still work. Only the blades don't move.

I think I'm going to put everything back together, then open up the column!:(
Click to expand...

Did you try to unplug the wiper motor and trying to see if it still blows the fuse?
It could be the motor shorting.
 
Oh my God!!:bow: I was at my wits end. I have tried everything. Including unplugging the wiper motor, thanks Iceman!

After trying EVERYTHING, except prayer, of course. I said a little "please help me Lord". I put everything back together in order to take apart the internals of the column. I figured I would try the key one more time. Guess what...everything now works.:eek1:

Thank you Scott and Iceman, for all your suggestions. Now I know more about the backside of my gauge cluster than ever before. I've only seen it from below. I still need to do this one more time to install a vacuum gauge, and maybe a shorter speedometer cable. It's a little less daunting now.

It's my duty to witness, if ever at the end of your rope, give God a chance to help!! It's been proven to me on MANY occasion.

Thank you Lord!!!:bow:
 
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