Electrical problems with #782

[DanEC]

I pulled the battery and starter solenoid leads off of the ignition switch and connected the battery. The ignition light was out now but the tail/park lights still came on. If the light switch always has power I doubt this means anything.

I played around with the light switch and there isn't any difference between the off (down) posiiton and the parking lights (middle) position. I did notice the lights blinking off as I moved the switch from off to parking position. I tried to look at the wire connections with a mirror and as best I could determine they are as shown in the wiring manual. I wired up the dash while it sat on a counter and took my time studying the manual. I'm 99.9% sure everything is wired correctly.

I think the light switch is bad.

I don't know why the ignition light is lit up while the switch is off but maybe it's getting power backfed to it from the lights. Any thoughts on that?

Does anyone have a source for the correct socket for unscrewing the nut on the toggle switches? Mine are on real tight. I tried my usual shade tree tricks of C-clip pliers and tapping on a small screwdriver lodged at an angle in one of the slots with a hammer - without sucess.

Thanks

[strictlypersonl]

Originally Posted by DanEC

I pulled the battery and starter solenoid leads off of the ignition switch and connected the battery. The ignition light was out now but the tail/park lights still came on. If the light switch always has power I doubt this means anything.

Power to the light switch is independent of the connections to the ignition switch.

I played around with the light switch and there isn't any difference between the off (down) posiiton and the parking lights (middle) position. I did notice the lights blinking off as I moved the switch from off to parking position. I tried to look at the wire connections with a mirror and as best I could determine they are as shown in the wiring manual. I wired up the dash while it sat on a counter and took my time studying the manual. I'm 99.9% sure everything is wired correctly.

That would seem to confirm a bad switch.

I don't know why the ignition light is lit up while the switch is off but maybe it's getting power backfed to it from the lights. Any thoughts on that?

Is your fuel gauge working with the ignition disconnected? The power for the warning light comes from the same circuit. If the gauge doesn't have power, power is being fed back in the opposite direction, from the voltage regulator. Check the connections at the V-R plug and at the alternator.

Does anyone have a source for the correct socket for unscrewing the nut on the toggle switches? Mine are on real tight. I tried my usual shade tree tricks of C-clip pliers and tapping on a small screwdriver lodged at an angle in one of the slots with a hammer - without success.
Thanks

Moss Motors

[DanEC]

I'm not sure about the fuel gage. It's reading empty and I haven't put any gas in it yet. I'll see if I'm getting power to it.

Thanks

[DanEC]

I seem to have everything up and working now that I can tell - except the pass side turn signals are still not blinking. Filled the car up with antifreeze today and had a big leak at the thermostat. So no start for the first time today.