• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Help with possible mixed up wiring

66 Sat

Well-Known Member
Local time
1:43 PM
Joined
Apr 26, 2015
Messages
1,936
Reaction score
4,475
Location
Australia
Hi, I've recently put my 66 Satellite back together after having the whole front end out, engine & transmission. I've put all the wiring back as it came out (I thought), but I have the following problem:
As soon as battery is connected the brake lights come on.
The headlights and front turn signals don't work at all.
The rear lights don't work at all (I think they don't anyway, it's hard to tell with brake lights on).
The front fender mounted flasher works on passenger side.
The rear turn signal works on passenger side.

Everything used to work before I pulled it all apart (except maybe the front fender mounted flasher works on driver's side).

Has anyone any suggestions of something simple that could be the issue? I hate electrics and don't want to call out an auto elec yet, if it's just a case of something plugged in the wrong place.

Thanks for any help.
 
Go here and download the wiring diagram for your car. You may have to enlarge it and print it for reference in the garage. You should focus on the yellow wire that runs across between the signal lights. There is a direct relationship between this feed, your turnsignal switch and the brake lights. Think of your turn signal switch as a DPDT switch that allows one side to flash while the other is an active brake light feed.
http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=27
You need to understand how the signal/brake system work to troubleshoot strange happenings:
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/How_do_turn_signals_work?
The other issues you can resolve with a VOM meter and the wiring diagrams. They're either poor grounds, lack of 12 volt feeds, or a faulty switch.
 
Check under dash to see if when you plugged in the wire harness plugs the connectors didn't get push out of bulkhead. I sure you know plugs have little humps so they only go in one way.
Had head light plug push inside on my car.
 
Last edited:
Lots of things going on there. I would start by checking all the grounds. Did you reinstall the ground strap from the back of the engine to the firewall? Steering column to dash frame?
 
Thanks for your responses guys, a few things to check. I don't think there was a ground strap originally, only the negative lead from the driver's side head to the battery. In the last ten minutes I've basically just done the tire kickers equivalent of electrical works (pushed a few wires around etc) and now some of the issues are resolved but new ones have arisen e.g. both fender mounted flashers work, only drivers side brake light illuminates but only when the indicator stalk is turned left and so on. I think this is all above my pay grade - I'll drop it off at the auto electrician and let them sort it all out before I melt something.
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top