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1970 Satellite - electrical gremlin. Help appreciated.

signalsparks

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Location
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Greetings, one and all. I'll start with my problem, and then tell my background.

Problem: I disconnected the "C/LTR -- DOME L" fuse so as not to drain the battery while performing maintenance on the front passenger door (repaired window mechanism) -- went to plug it back in, the fuse blows instantly. I'm going to try disconnecting the battery and replace the fuse again, but while the burn blister on my finger heals...

Any thoughts? Known issues? Places to start looking? Dome/map/steering column lights still work when the engine is running and the door is open. Haven't checked the lighter.

Instead of posting my life story here, I'll make a separate thread in a more appropriate forum.

Thanks in advance.
 
Greetings, one and all. I'll start with my problem, and then tell my background.

Problem: I disconnected the "C/LTR -- DOME L" fuse so as not to drain the battery while performing maintenance on the front passenger door (repaired window mechanism) -- went to plug it back in, the fuse blows instantly. I'm going to try disconnecting the battery and replace the fuse again, but while the burn blister on my finger heals...

Any thoughts? Known issues? Places to start looking? Dome/map/steering column lights still work when the engine is running and the door is open. Haven't checked the lighter.

Instead of posting my life story here, I'll make a separate thread in a more appropriate forum.

Thanks in advance.
Welcome aboard! Your in the right place. Lots of great helpful folks here! Do you have schematics by chance? That and an Ohm meter are really important. Was the cig lighter pushed in when you hooked up the fuse? Did you disconnect the battery while you were working on the door? What exactly did you do on the door?
 
Check that lighter, I’ve seen more than one element shorted out.
 
Replace the fuse before re-connecting the battery? I'd risk one more fuse to try it EDITED--> see above post
 
welcome, by your call sign you either you deal with electricity or you run from it as many do. well you have came to the right place as these folks know what they are doing. i have already filled a note book up with ideas and how to do it as i build my project. the best part of it there is never a dumb question. enjoy the forum and good luck on your car
 
Welcome aboard! Your in the right place. Lots of great helpful folks here! Do you have schematics by chance? That and an Ohm meter are really important. Was the cig lighter pushed in when you hooked up the fuse? Did you disconnect the battery while you were working on the door? What exactly did you do on the door?

Full disclosure: I am a commercial signaling systems technician and electrical apprenticeship instructor.

I have a schematic, but while it indicates it is correct for my car, it does not match what I see on the vehicle.

The cig lighter element itself was in a box in the trunk (my 9 year old had just figured out the hard way what a cig lighter was a week prior).

The passenger front door window had fallen into the door ghe night before and I was replacing the plastic snap-in fitting holding the window to the track traveler that failed with a nicely gasketed bolt, washer, and nut assembly.

This required that the door panel be off and door left open (didn't want to close the door and risk breaking the glass rattling loose in there while I went to the hardware store.)

I thought I was being smart to pop the dome light fuse for this operation. I used to do it in my 1994 Dakota routinely.
 
Thank you, one and all.

I pulled the neg. Battery terminal and replaced the fuse. Reconnected. All is well.

Had another issue when I got the car: Left turn signal doesn't always blink on the dash but works front and rear. Right turn signal always blinks on dash and in front but never works in back. All parking, tail, and headlights work. Right rear brake light does not work.

Owner (I am car-sitting) mentioned he had "smoked something" and had replaced the turn signal switch assembly with a new part from Classic Industries and this was the result.

I took out the schematic, meter, and test light. Sure enough, I found a bad bulb socket in the right tail light. Still no turn signal or brake light on that side.

The old turn signal switch was still in the trunk. The emergency flasher switch was busted, but I hooked it up temporarily via the big flat plug under the dash. Viola! It all works.

Ordered a new switch from Year One this time. Double the price, but the wiring color code matches this time (the CI one did not.) Pre-tested the Y1 unit. Good to go.

Currently in process replacing the switch (steering wheel pulled, etc.) When I ran out of daylight and had to come in and put the kids to bed.

More updates soon, I hope.
 
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