TheSamba.com :: View topic - Generator light -- What did I do? //Fixed!

Sun Mar 07, 2010 3:52 pm

Hey everybody, last week I replaced my headlight switch and while my headlights work better than ever now, I've somehow lost my turn signals and won the never-sought red light. I've gone through the Bentley schematic and still can't figure out how I managed to screw myself up so well. So here I am, asking for a little veteran help. Here's the particulars:

Before:
Everything was working fine except for my instrument lights (worn out spring in the headlight switch)

Now:
New aftermarket (I know :oops:) that works great but I've lost my parking lights warning indicator (it's not the switch, I've tried reverting to the old one, but it doesn't solve the problem)
Generator light always on when running, but no longer comes on when ignition switch is in the on position with engine off (nor does the oil light)
Turn signals do not work, but emergency flashers do
Using either turn signal makes the generator light brighter
I've pulled the turn signal switch and cleaned it, contacts look fine, soldered points are solid
EDIT: also, all fuses are good, generator is supplying 14.4V, brushes are in good shape, etc.

Any ideas would be very much appreciated. Cheers--

Sun Mar 07, 2010 3:56 pm

Bet your fuel gauge doesn't work either.
You've disconnected the black wire that runs from fuse 12 to the insulated area surrounding some of the idiot lights, check the fuse first of course.

Sun Mar 07, 2010 3:56 pm

did you pull the cluster out or just let the switch hang down?

Sun Mar 07, 2010 3:58 pm

Thanks, busdaddy! That may be it, I'll have to take a look. I edited my post to reflect that my fuses are all good.

As for the fuel gauge, it *does* work. Well, kind of. With a full tank, the gauge reads 3/4, and when you use the turn signal it drops by about 1/2 (to about 1/4 full).

Sun Mar 07, 2010 4:01 pm

SGKent: I didn't pull the instrument cluster (those plastic christmas trees on the heat/air knobs give my huge hands a helluva time), I let the headlight switch dangle while swapping the wires to the new one.

I did, however, pull the fuse block up and out a bit to allow for pulling and cleaning the headlight relay (bad contacts @ the fuse block).

Sun Mar 07, 2010 4:18 pm

Well, I just checked the black wire on fuse #12 and it's firmly attached (as is the green wire for the emergency flashers). It runs all the way to the instrument gauge, nothing loose there either. Any other ideas?

Sun Mar 07, 2010 4:25 pm

I know you said your fuses are good, but have you cleaned the contact the fuses sit in> (sometimes just spinning them works) I replaced a head light once because corrosion on the fuse... Now I got a spare...
Is the switch electrically the same (iirc 30 is passed on to ignition switch?)

Do you have a test light, I like them because unlike a meter they need current to operate.. better for low DC trouble shooting..

Sun Mar 07, 2010 4:29 pm

EmeritusX: I haven't cleaned the contacts on the back of the fuse block (or the front, for that matter). But I have spun the fuses a couple times. I'm about to swap fuse #12 just for helluvit, so I'll give that a shot.

As for the new switch, even if it isn't electrically identical, I can't imagine that it's the source of my troubles, because I replaced it with the old one and my problems didn't go away.

Also, no, I don't have a test light. I'm an electrician by trade, but working cars isn't my specialty. I'll look into getting/making one though.

Cheers for the advice, though. Every little bit helps :)

Sun Mar 07, 2010 4:46 pm

Well, I'll be damned. Can't say if it was the dirty contacts on the front of the fuse block, or the fuse, or the lug on the back of the block, but now we're all gravy :D

Thanks, busdaddy, SGKent, & EmeritusX! No more arm-signals for me, haha. Really do appreciate the help though, thanks a lot!