Mike Frye

So I'm working on my interior and I put in a new stereo with all new speaker wiring. I needed a dash illumination/dim input so I was going to tap it off of the existing digital clock. Then I realized that the clock didn't really serve a purpose and I was going to remove it and just use the clock in my stereo (and redo the console to eliminate the factory clock).

Anyway, so instead of just tapping into the dash illumination circuit, I took it and the rest of the leads off of the clock. Now my dash illumination doesn't work at all.

I can put them back on the clock, but I'd rather understand the circuit and find a way to bypass the clock and get the dash lights to work.

So my question: Are the dash lights wired through the clock or on a jump post somehow so that when the clock is unplugged the dash gets no voltage or did I disturb something else while I was in there?

Anyone? Alan?

Leon Speed

Don't know about the wiring, but did you by chance blow a fuse?

Mike Frye

OK, If it turns out to be that simple you get all the money I found in my seat when I took it apart ($2.89 in really dirty coins). Honestly I didn't think of checking that while I was in there. I'll check when I get home.

I think sometimes I get so wrapped up in the preconception that the electrical system is finicky that I don't step back and consider the most likely causes. Thanks.

Leon Speed

Ok I'll send you my address

pscottjr

Mike, I am sure Alan will respond soon. However, the clock is illuminated from the dash. A disconnected clock will not effect the dash illumination.

I would check fuses #4 and #11 to make sure that when connecting your stereo that you did not short circuit anything. I would also check the dimmer dial. In my OB the dimmer dial is very temperamental. I would moved it, give it a good workout and see if acutally there is nothing wrong other than the dimmer dial.

Alan

There are sometines a few console items that are chained - but usually they would still be connected even with the closk unplugged (dual wires to the connector). If you lost all illumination its almost certainly a fuse - leaving the wires dangling provides lots of grounded metal for them to short out to.

Alan

Mike Frye

Thanks, my dimmer wheel is finicky too and that's the first thing I tried. When it didn't come up after a few minutes of fiddling, naturally I figured it had something to do with wiring, but I should have thought of the fuse first.

Thanks Alan, unless it's chained together after the clock I'm sure it's the fuse now that it was pointed out to me. The positive spade plugs for the clock are wrapped in shrink wrap so I thought I was safe while I was working on it but it must have been exposed enough to short to bare metal somewhere.

I feel like an idiot, but thanks all.

pscottjr

Mike the fuses I listed were for a 1984 not your year 1985. Sorry, check 2, 10 and 44.

Mike Frye

Thanks, I still have the fuse chart in mine so I probably would have confirmed, but I appreciate you updating it.


UPDATE: It was the fuse! What an idiot I am. Sorry for wasting everyone's time on a simple thing like this. I guess I need to take a breath and think a little longer before posting in the future. Thanks all the same. (BTW- it was fuse 44, a 5 amp fuse)