Dash lights stay on?

El Monstero · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 1:54 am Post subject: Dash lights stay on?

Recently my dash & yellow corner lights came on when I started my car, with the light activator pushed all the way in. Then after a few minutes it turned off. I was wondering if I should buy a new light switch, or
is it more likley to be a wiring problem, like a short, because it is on then off kind of problem? It does work like it should, when I pull it out half way(yellow corner lights), and all the way for the head lights. Any help greatly appreciated. 1978 Elco

CoyoteOn2 · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 8:20 am Post subject:

Paul, You are on the right track. The problem could be either and will require more trouble shooting on your part to narrow it down for sure. Now let us throw some LOGIC into this elictrical Gremlum you have. Your Elky is now 30 years old right? That's alot of <on & offs> for a light switch. So if it were me, and my Elky, I would just buy a New switch and install it, after all there not that expensive, and LOGIC says your switch is most likely worn out. Then you can watch and see if the problem has gone away, or if it is still present. At which time you will know if it was a LOGICAL problem or not. Paul, I'm not saying that your problem is FOR SURE your switch, because elictrical alot of times defies Logic. Just that it would be the least time envolved to help narrow it down for sure, and only a few dollars spent, but NOT WASTED in the replacement of a 30 year old switch.

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The Rubber Side Down !!
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El Monstero · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 6:16 pm Post subject:

That makes alot of since, I see it the same way.
If I buy a new switch, at least I know that part
has been replaced and works. I just figured that there
may be a problem with El Camino from 1978 that had
a known switch problem. I also feel sometimes I can do a better
install then OEM, I like to use use heavier gauge wire(12g instead of 16g), I use weather proof connectors, and coat connections with liqaud electric tape, & I use dielectric grease inside the direct connections and then plastic wrap insulator, & then a good wrap of electric tape. I feel all electrics should be practicaly air and water tight to stop corosion and shorts. A lot of OEM wires and ends are exposed a little and over time dirt water oil get inside the wires and cause resistance intell it willnot be able to handle the current flow, thus larger wire it makes it easy for the current to travel with less resistance, and the thicker wire holds up against vibrations better in are ELCO'S. Electric problem are real easy if you can find them!!! Thats why there are now ECU's obd1 and now obd11
are really nice to find your electric trouble or mechanical, to bad most newer cars dont apeal to me, or cost to much also they dont have the style feel or sound of a true classic.

El Monstero · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:21 am Post subject:

My electric problem gets more strange today,
now when I push on the brakes the auxillary lights, dash lights,
and the brake lights come on as the brake lights should. When I release the brake pedal the auxillary dash light go off, then work normal when I activate the light pull switch. I really dont understand how it can even be possible for the brake pedal to turn on and off the dash and auxillary lights, what part of the brake and rear brake light systm have to do with auxillary+dash light wiring?

CoyoteOn2 · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:05 am Post subject:

Grounds !! You are having a feedback issue. You need to clean and secure your grounding points, starting with the Dash Cluster, under Dash. What you have is for sure a BAD GROUND in the system.
_________________
Keep the Shiney Side Up
The Rubber Side Down !!
aka Larry
http://elcaminocentral.com/gallery-album_CoyoteOn2s77Cage.html

El Monstero · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:50 am Post subject:

Time to hunt me down some bad grounds!
I appreciate the help, I will start with the dash cluster ground-
like you suggested. Is the dash cluster ground diffrent then the ingnition box's ground? Its not a body ground is it?

CoyoteOn2 · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:31 am Post subject:

Paul, All your grounds will go, or attach, to a point or mount that will ultimatly be a frame, chasie, mount. The wire from your Inst. panel plug will be black. Start there. Here are two Wiring Diag. links that will help you in your trouble shooting on your 78.
here
http://elcaminocentral.com/articles/wiring/801.gif
and here
http://elcaminocentral.com/articles/wiring/802.gif
_________________
Keep the Shiney Side Up
The Rubber Side Down !!
aka Larry
http://elcaminocentral.com/gallery-album_CoyoteOn2s77Cage.html

464elky · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:02 pm Post subject:

OK, I re-read the problem you are having and it sounds like the dash is getting ground but the brake lights aren't and are feeding back through the tail lights elements and find a ground through the dash. Follow the black wires inside the rear bumper to where they are grounded and clean all that up and add a couple of star washers.
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Another 3 to 9 years should finish it.

El Monstero · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 2:25 am Post subject:

Thanks for such good information on this, it
would have taken me many more days testing, &
spending money to solve this problem. Instead I get highly accurate information from you guys that leads me to the solution. I know wich wires you guys are talking about, because I spend too much time under my car. The rear one to the tail light is most likey very dirty and old, and the one that goes to the dash wich is braided goes to the body on the drivers side, and its very greasy and old. I will replace both wires and report back.

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