Here's a good one for you guys. I was messing around with my 79 d-150 the other day,trying to figure out why my dash light don't work. I got fed up and was buttoning it up, when I let the positive and negative posts on the back touch the metal dash and sparks flew, there was some smoke and the was a little puff of smoke that came out from the engine compartment on the driver side. Nothing works any more, I have no lights, it won't start, It it dead. I don't know what I did. I don't know what to do. I didn't see anything burnt in the engine bay, nothing looks fried! But I got nothing. No electrical at all!! any ideas. :help:
tanker122
09-12-2006, 05:07 PM
I thought it could be the ECU, but it doesn't look burnt or melted. Any other component that could have fried?
75 Power Wagon
09-12-2006, 09:21 PM
do you still have the stock ammeter? It sounds like you could have friend somethign related to that.. either at the bulkhead, or the actual ammeter gauge...
here's a website that helps explain this problem, and will help you fix it... although, i suggesting getting a voltmeter to replace that stock ammeter.
Yeah, it sounds like you hit the ammeter lugs on something... (If I remember correctly they stick out a lot further than all the other connections on the back of the dash circut board..)
I'm guessing that's why they always tell ya to discconect the + battery cable before you do anything... ;)
If you fried the ammeter, that'll kill most everything.
You can bypass that... Take a look at the link that 75 Power Wagon posted. It's worth it's weight in gold.
But check the fusable links under the hood also.
Good Luck!! (I hate electrical probs.....)
Slug-Gunner
09-12-2006, 11:45 PM
Yeah, it sounds like you hit the ammeter lugs on something... (If I remember correctly they stick out a lot further than all the other connections on the back of the dash circut board..)
I'm guessing that's why they always tell ya to discconect the + battery cable before you do anything... ;)
If you fried the ammeter, that'll kill most everything.
You can bypass that... Take a look at the link that 75 Power Wagon posted. It's worth it's weight in gold.
But check the fusable links under the hood also.
Good Luck!! (I hate electrical probs.....)
The link that 74 Power Wagon posted is a good reference to use in troubleshooting and correcting this problem from future "accidents" like you had.
I agree with the FUSIBLE LINK as being the possible problem!
Follow the wire from the POS (+) battery terminal. One will probably go directly to the starter, another should go to the + ouput of the alternator (or ammeter if you have this gauge in your dash). This last wire should have a larger diameter section of wire in it just before it goes thru the firewall. This is the "fusible link" section of wire. It is designed to "burn in two" if there is a short in the POS (+) battery lead before it enters the fuse panel. You'll have to try flexing or bending this wire since it usually ONLY OPENS INTERNALLY (inside the wire insulation) and doesn't always burn the whole wire and insulation in half. If you find a spot in this wire that flexes REAL EASY compared to the rest of the wire, IT IS OPEN.
REPLACE THIS WIRE WITH ANOTHER "FUSIBLE LINK"!
These can be purhased at most auto supply stores. Some are attached to terminal strips or a connector, but some may need to be SPLICED INTO THE WIRE ITSELF after you remove the "bad" section of "FUSIBLE LINK" wire.
DO NOT TRY TO REPLACE IT WITH JUST A PIECE OF HEAVY GAUGE WIRE!
If you do, and something similar should ever accidentally happen again, it could cause SEVERE DAMAGE to the wiring behind the dash.... which can be REALLY DIFFICULT to access and work on.
tanker122
09-13-2006, 02:23 PM
thanks alot guys, I'll check it out after i'm done detailing cars tonight. Will keep you folks posted. I appreciate all the help. I really mean that. You guys are a big help, especially when you're on a tight budget. I guess that's why I detail cars on the side.
bherder
09-13-2006, 07:48 PM
Oh, hey there Tanker....
One more thing to add to Slug's excellent advice.... Hopefully, if you've still got the 'factory' wires under the hood, the fusible link(s) will be marked as such... Being as you's is the same year as mine, it should be the same... There is a rubber do-dad on the wires about as big as a cigarette butt.. And the wire says fusible link' on it (Under the dirt and grease :D )
Makes it a lot easier to sort things out...
Here's an example from my rig....
tanker122
09-14-2006, 12:18 PM
Brilliant,simply brilliant. I got to hand it to you guys, you know what your talking about. I should be running by the end of the day. I looked at the ECU again, it looks be replaced, and that damn fusable link coming off of the solenoid was burnt. I don;t know why I didn't think of that before. thanks fellas
75 Power Wagon
09-14-2006, 03:09 PM
yup... I suggest reading about bypassing that ammeter... it's definately somethign that you should do, then get a voltmeter to replace it.
bherder
09-14-2006, 07:41 PM
Brilliant,simply brilliant. I got to hand it to you guys, you know what your talking about.
Heh heh heh.... Well, you know what they say... "Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then." :D
Just don't ask me about all the really stupid things I've done in the past.. ;)
But 75 PW is most assuredly correct. GET RID of that friggin' ammeter! Follow the directions in that 'madelectrial' link and your rig will be 1000% more reliable....
So far as the ECU, if you want a more reliable ignition, plus one that is capable of a stronger spark... (You get rid of the ballast resistor and use the GM ECU, which has a much better track record) .... For very cheap...
See my 'My GM HEI Conversion' thread and check out this link..
(Damn! The website is gone! Good thing I saved it to harddrive.. :D PM me if you want me to send you the files...)
And if ya wanna get fancy...
http://www.designed2drive.com/
Another interesting article...
http://eelink.net/~p-nowak/EEC-Archive/msg07160.html
tanker122
09-15-2006, 01:22 PM
You guys are the heat!!!! You never guess what I drove to work today????? That right the juggernaut, as everyone at work calls it. I got some fusable link,6ft to be exact, and replaced th old one, put in the new ecu, and bam baby. I have to take the time this weekend to do it right, i mean pretty.But there is still one damn problem... I still have no dash lights. I look all ghetto driving at night having to flip on the dome light to see how fast I'm going. I can't figure it out. If one goes out, do they all go, or not work??? What am I missing fellas?
75 Power Wagon
09-15-2006, 02:39 PM
do you maybe have the dimmer switched turned all the way to where the dash lights are so dark they look like they arent on?
tanker122
09-15-2006, 03:11 PM
nope, they still don't work no matter which way you turn the switch. could it be that the switch is bad? Do you need all the bulbs in for them to work?
bherder
09-15-2006, 05:28 PM
You guys are the heat!!!!
Is that anything like being "da bomb"? (Sorry, I'm 50 years old and live in the woods... I haven't been 'hip' for a loooong time :D )
You never guess what I drove to work today????? That right the juggernaut, as everyone at work calls it. I got some fusable link,6ft to be exact, and replaced th old one, put in the new ecu, and bam baby. I have to take the time this weekend to do it right, i mean pretty.But there is still one damn problem... I still have no dash lights. I look all ghetto driving at night having to flip on the dome light to see how fast I'm going. I can't figure it out. If one goes out, do they all go, or not work??? What am I missing fellas?
Well, I'm sure you've checked your fuse, right? (Lower right hand side ... A 4 amp fuse)
If that's OK, I would suggest you check the headlight switch.. And the only reason I say that is because when I first got my rig, the headlights would just go out for about 10 seconds then come back on.. For no apparent reason.
It turned out that the headlight switch was FULL of this white crusty stuff. I replaced the switch and it has worked fine ever since. Since the dash/headlights are all in the same unit, check it out.
If the switch (Which is very easy to get to) looks ok, at the very least, unplug the connector and clean all the contacts (I use a spray can contact cleaner) and plug-unplug the connector in several times...
It could be (Not likely, but maybe) all the bulbs are burned out? BTW, the dash lights aren't like Xmas tree lights... If one goes out, the rest should still work :D
Make sure the connector that plugs into the dash circut-board is clean and locked in solid....
If for whatever reason you need to pull the dash again (Undo your + battery cable this time ;) ) do yourself a favor and just replace all the bulbs (I think there is only four of them if I remember right, probably cost ya $4.00) clean where the little twist-on sockets connect, AND pull those stupid little blue plastic covers that go over the bulbs, off. You'll actually be able to see the dash at night. I actually replaced mine with LED bulbs and can get a suntan while driving at night :D
tanker122
09-15-2006, 06:45 PM
I will check out the connector tonight. If anything I'll just take it off and go to the junkyard where I got my "new" ecu from and cannibalize a 78 d-150 I found over there. I hope that the connector is the problem. Cricky! At this rate I will be an expert on 79 d-150's. Someday(note the tear coming out my right eye) I will be as cool as you guys.
tanker122
09-15-2006, 06:45 PM
by the way, taking off the pos cable, DUALLY NOTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :gr_patrio
bherder
09-15-2006, 07:29 PM
by the way, taking off the pos cable, DUALLY NOTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :gr_patrio
Or even '4x4' noted?? :D :D :D
bherder
09-15-2006, 08:01 PM
I will check out the connector tonight. If anything I'll just take it off and go to the junkyard where I got my "new" ecu from and cannibalize a 78 d-150 I found over there. I hope that the connector is the problem.
Unless it's burned-up or dirty, the connector shouldn't be the prob... Although it can be.... I was just trying to cover all your bases there....
In any case, if there is a rig at the local boneyard, get at the stuff off of it as you can afford, and put it in a box somewhere! (Try buying a new 'anything' at the Dodge dealer for a 79'... ;) )
Everytime I go to the local 'Pick-Your-Own-Part' in Spokane, I harvest as much stuff as I can, just in case.... Know what I mean?
Cricky! At this rate I will be an expert on 79 d-150's. Someday(note the tear coming out my right eye) I will be as cool as you guys.
Heh heh heh.... The BEST thing is being able to help out someone who owns/loves a classic old Dodge Pickemup' like we do.... If you've ever owned any other pickemup's, you'll soon see that after you get the 'bugs' worked out, There Ain't Nuthin' Like A Dodge. You tear into it enough and you'll be answering questions, rather than asking them. Makes you warm and fuzzy all over :D
75 Power Wagon
09-16-2006, 01:56 AM
Heh heh heh.... The BEST thing is being able to help out someone who owns/loves a classic old Dodge Pickemup' like we do.... If you've ever owned any other pickemup's, you'll soon see that after you get the 'bugs' worked out, There Ain't Nuthin' Like A Dodge. You tear into it enough and you'll be answering questions, rather than asking them. Makes you warm and fuzzy all over :D
He ain't lying either... 3 years ago, i couldnt tell you what a power wagon was.... now look at me. (still learning though, we all are!)
FROZEN_AMMO
10-05-2006, 09:14 AM
Well the "Juggernaut" has a new home now, but we still have the problem with the whole dash lights thing. I dont know if Dick ever replaced all the bulbs or not but I am going to start there. This is my first time owning a Dodge truck, I have always been a 73-79 Ford person my self. Seems like you guys have a wealth of knowledge on my new species. It is great that you are so willing to share this with others. I will keep you posted on the lighting thing as it goes along.
