Wires Crossed somewhere???

[XIXI]

I have an electrical problem throughout my truck:
1. While listening to the radio if you open the door it will go to static,
2. I push the horn and my radio goes all crazy and the interior overhead light flicks on and off.
3. When I open the door or turn the switch all the way across to turn on my inside overhead light, it won't turn on.
4. Sometimes when I feel my spouse rates a ride in her the radio doesn't work, so I tell her to open and close the door again and then it works.
5. When driving sometimes it feels like she wants to turn off.(flutters)

The lights under the dash work fine/normal.

So do I take her to a dealer for this and only this, or take it elsewhere?
Please advise quickly.

 

[Bill Z]

Re: Wires Crossed somewhere???

First explain what was the last thing that you did to your truck. Between when it worked fine and now.

I suspect a bad ground or a blown fuse. When some fuses blow, the electricity tries to find an alternate path resulting in your symptoms.

 

[George Blake]

Re: Wires Crossed somewhere???

Do you have lighted vanities?
Look for a lighted vanity with wire damage or a lighted rear view mirror with wire damage.
What's happening is the "dimmer" that all the interior lights and radio is connected to wreaking havoc because something in that circuit is pinched. Look where wires get moved alot, like a vanity or door.

 

[XIXI]

Re: Wires Crossed somewhere???

Nothing new, I just purchased my baby. It all started, if I remember correctly, when the internal overhead light went out. I bought a new one still didn't work, figured maybe the battery because I was told that it was old so I bought a new yellow top and that rubbed a hole in the vacuum hose(fixed it), so took that back and got a regular battery and still did not fix the light situation.
I think the radio thing was already happening when I bought her.

 

[turbodog]

Re: Wires Crossed somewhere???

I agree with Bill. Probably a bad ground under the dash. Best bet is to find it yourself (buy an electrically-inclined friend a six-pack if need be!). If you feel you have to take it somewhere.... tough call. I'd take it to a shop where you have info from others that they are competent and honest. Might be a dealer.... probably not. Bill asked the right question... what has changed recently?

 

[XIXI]

Re: Wires Crossed somewhere???

Do you have lighted vanities?
Look for a lighted vanity with wire damage or a lighted rear view mirror with wire damage.
What's happening is the "dimmer" that all the interior lights and radio is connected to wreaking havoc because something in that circuit is pinched. Look where wires get moved alot, like a vanity or door.

I will go check; everything is stock except the added boost gauge.
I tried plugging in my cell phone charger and the truck didn't like it all, radio went crazy so I put a cassette in.

 

[XIXI]

Re: Wires Crossed somewhere???

The other day I noticed that right above the dimmer switch it was really hot, I am going to look there first.
Thanks guys.

 

[George Blake]

Re: Wires Crossed somewhere???

Aftermarket or stock radio? If it is aftermarket, pull it out and unplug it. See if the problems go away. It's been a while but I remember there was a wire in the radio harness that "tests" as a good ground....as long as the lights aren't on. As soon as you turn the lights on, it gets 12 volts. So if they've hooked that up incorrectly, it could cause the problems you are experiencing. Sorry, it's been so long, I'd forgotten about that. I'm betting it's in that if it is an aftermarket radio.

 

[Bill Z]

Re: Wires Crossed somewhere???

I suggest that you check all of your fuse sizes. Make sure that they are the correct size. The size should be right under the fuse. If one or more is bigger than it should, the problem maybe in that area.

Good luck.

 

[turbodog]

Re: Wires Crossed somewhere???

The dimmer does make a lot of heat. It has a ceramic circuit board with a heatsink on the back. I have had one of these crack before, but it only caused loss of interior lights and dash lights. Worth checking, however.

 

[George Blake]

Re: Wires Crossed somewhere???

Did you ever get this fixed?

 

[GAShan]

Re: Wires Crossed somewhere???

Cigarette lighter fuse is blown.