Electrical Gremmlin

[Ext User(Roujin)]

The lights on the instrument cluster (lights, belt, chg, fuel etc..)
come on but do not turn off after the car has started. I have pulled
off the dash trying to find a loose wire or a short but found nothing.
PLEASE HELP im tearing my hair out

[Ext User(John_H)]

Roujin wrote:
>
>The lights on the instrument cluster (lights, belt, chg, fuel etc..)
>come on but do not turn off after the car has started. I have pulled
>off the dash trying to find a loose wire or a short but found nothing.
>PLEASE HELP im tearing my hair out

If it's a Commodore, or a Mitsubishi, which you don't seem to want to
tell us (such is the shame of owning either), it's probably in
terminal meltdown.

Best let it burn. :)

--
John H

[Ext User(Roujin)]

Sorry im tired from looking at datsun sites all day

Its a 1980 Datsun/Nissan 280ZX Non Turbo model
again im sorry Just Tired
Roujin wrote:
> The lights on the instrument cluster (lights, belt, chg, fuel etc..)
> come on but do not turn off after the car has started. I have pulled
> off the dash trying to find a loose wire or a short but found nothing.
> PLEASE HELP im tearing my hair out

[Ext User(Roujin)]

Also please if you dont have help but just witty comments please dont
post.
I only wish to hear from people who have a serious intrest in helping
out or spreading some knowlage
Thanks

[Ext User(ausmartin)]

Roujin wrote:
> Also please if you dont have help but just witty comments please dont
> post.
> I only wish to hear from people who have a serious intrest in helping
> out or spreading some knowlage
> Thanks

I've seen this before on Japanese cars.....
Check the alternator brushes aren't worn out.
For some strange reason instead of just bringing the battery/altenator
warning light on, they light up a strange array of warning lights.

If not check the usual - poor earth contacts etc.

Best of luck with it.

[Ext User(Andy)]

Roujin wrote:
> Also please if you dont have help but just witty comments please dont
> post.
> I only wish to hear from people who have a serious intrest in helping
> out or spreading some knowlage


OK.


> Thanks


No problem.


Cheers,

Andy. (The other Andy.)

[Ext User(atec77)]

Roujin wrote:
> Also please if you dont have help but just witty comments please dont
> post.
> I only wish to hear from people who have a serious intrest in helping
> out or spreading some knowlage
> Thanks
>



Oh Dear this is gonna hurt

[Ext User(Roujin)]

I dont think its the altenator as the battery would not charge if that
was gone. Im 900% sure its a short. If anyone knows where to find a
short or series of shorts that would cause this please post

[Ext User(boris)]

I know very little about car electrics but i will have a go... arnt these
lights kept 'off' by a the 12 volt supply being met by another 12 volt
supply & when one side (12 volts) of the lights fails through alt failure or
belt etc...they are met with 0 volts & thus light up because of the 12-0
volt potential ?

Jesus i cant explain it but im sure an auto elect can.


"Roujin" <roujinc@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1163319589.196458.309970@b28g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> The lights on the instrument cluster (lights, belt, chg, fuel etc..)
> come on but do not turn off after the car has started. I have pulled
> off the dash trying to find a loose wire or a short but found nothing.
> PLEASE HELP im tearing my hair out
>

[Ext User(Scotty)]

"Roujin" <roujinc@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1163324701.745706.181560@f16g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
>
> I dont think its the altenator as the battery would not charge if that
> was gone. Im 900% sure its a short. If anyone knows where to find a
> short or series of shorts that would cause this please post
>

Id say your most likely looking for an open circuit wire not a short,
remove the dash and look for a wire that goes no where (fallen off).

[Ext User(Roujin)]

Thanks Boris but i think this is what you are trying to say
Electricity is like water flowing in an irrigation cannal. Difference
is there are positive and negative charges that cancel each other out.
When you get a bridge between positive and negative that does not
belong in the circut things either dont work or wont turn off or any
number of other posabillities
I cant afford an auto electrician but i know a bit about physics and
chemistry, thus i know a little bit about electricity and how it works.
When i say i know there is a short i mean i know there is a short.
I just need help finding it (which would cost me $100 an hour)

[Ext User(Roujin)]

I already removed the dash and checked the wiring on the dash at 8 this
morning. The dash is fine. Other than the instrument lights not turning
off i would say there is nothing wrong with the car. Its one of those
things that come up maybee once in 5million years
doesnt make much sense as everywhere i have looked come up ok but i
know im overlooking something
Thanks for the constructive adivse though Scotty

[Ext User(boris)]

No i understand normal electricity just fine but cars are all arse about to
me ...i just know that this is how the alt belt warning lamp lights up when
the alt belt fails...voltage potential lights alt fail/warning lamp. I am
wondering if this is the same for the rest of the the lights with another
part of the cct behind the dash being caused by a dodgy wire/joint.



"Roujin" <roujinc@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1163325744.608113.99800@h54g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...
>
> Thanks Boris but i think this is what you are trying to say
> Electricity is like water flowing in an irrigation cannal. Difference
> is there are positive and negative charges that cancel each other out.
> When you get a bridge between positive and negative that does not
> belong in the circut things either dont work or wont turn off or any
> number of other posabillities
> I cant afford an auto electrician but i know a bit about physics and
> chemistry, thus i know a little bit about electricity and how it works.
> When i say i know there is a short i mean i know there is a short.
> I just need help finding it (which would cost me $100 an hour)
>

[Ext User(Roujin)]

Ok sorry Borris my mistake,
Im so used to getting cheek instead of help i can be a little touchy.
Auto electrics is the same as usual electronics the main differences
are the voltage and polarity.
Most things in auto electrics are look for short, look for faulty
component, check fuses, check relays, check battery (same as is it
turned on which is the most common electrical fix that i have ever had
to do) Its amazing how many people dont check is it plugged in turned
on etc..
But thats usually about it. The trick is knowing where the most common
problems are for that model and make like combo switch which is a
common problem that i have found in 280ZX's (ive had 3 of them)

[Ext User(Clockmeister)]

"Roujin" <roujinc@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1163324701.745706.181560@f16g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
>
> I dont think its the altenator as the battery would not charge if that
> was gone. Im 900% sure its a short. If anyone knows where to find a
> short or series of shorts that would cause this please post
>

A testlight will surely find a short much better then a question in a
newsgroup.

[Ext User(TPr)]

probably completely irrelevant but we once owned an old '85 Volvo that did
this exact fault and it was a failed timer type relay that controls the test
mode of dash warning lights at initial start.

"Roujin" <roujinc@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1163319589.196458.309970@b28g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
| The lights on the instrument cluster (lights, belt, chg, fuel etc..)
| come on but do not turn off after the car has started. I have pulled
| off the dash trying to find a loose wire or a short but found nothing.
| PLEASE HELP im tearing my hair out
|

[Ext User(Jason James)]

"Roujin" <roujinc@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1163324701.745706.181560@f16g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
>
> I dont think its the altenator as the battery would not charge if that
> was gone. Im 900% sure its a short. If anyone knows where to find a
> short or series of shorts that would cause this please post

The problem in approaching the analysis from a "one fault makes all lights
come on" is futile as each light has its own way of being lit,...some will
be similar, but not all. From what I can see, many cars have a position at
the ignition-key, just before starting commences, where ALL lights are
switched on to test whether they are all functional (the bulbs themselves),
It seems that this momentary test is remaining on after the engine has
started.

It maybe the contacts in the ignition switch or a relay dedicated to
switching all alarm lights on during the "test lights phase", staying
operated. You'll need a good manual to trace-out where this circuitry is,
and why it is remaining activated.

Jason

[Ext User(John_H)]

atec77 <""atec77 \"@ hotmail.com"> wrote:
>Roujin wrote:
>> Also please if you dont have help but just witty comments please dont
>> post.
>> I only wish to hear from people who have a serious intrest in helping
>> out or spreading some knowlage
>> Thanks

>Oh Dear this is gonna hurt

Can't expect much help when he withholds the vital info, and probably
still is.... What's the bet the alternator light (battery) goes off
when the engine's running and the the rest don't?

Could be the vital clue wouldn't you think?

--
John H

[Ext User(atec77)]

John_H wrote:
> atec77 <""atec77 \"@ hotmail.com"> wrote:
>> Roujin wrote:
>>> Also please if you dont have help but just witty comments please dont
>>> post.
>>> I only wish to hear from people who have a serious intrest in helping
>>> out or spreading some knowlage
>>> Thanks
>
>> Oh Dear this is gonna hurt
>
> Can't expect much help when he withholds the vital info, and probably
> still is.... What's the bet the alternator light (battery) goes off
> when the engine's running and the the rest don't?
>
> Could be the vital clue wouldn't you think?
>
Exactly as I surmised.

[Ext User(Albm&ctd)]

In article <1163319589.196458.309970@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups. com>,
roujinc@yahoo.com says...
> The lights on the instrument cluster (lights, belt, chg, fuel etc..)
> come on but do not turn off after the car has started. I have pulled
> off the dash trying to find a loose wire or a short but found nothing.
> PLEASE HELP im tearing my hair out
>
A wiring diagram can be your friend.

Al
--
I don't take sides.
It's more fun to insult everyone.
http://kwakakid.cjb.net/insult.html