Go69
Jun 10th, 05, 09:09 AM
Working on my '69 Camaro and am trying to find out why my "GEN" light will not work. I pulled the light holder bar (name?) out from under the tachometer and found first off that the bulb for the "GEN" window was blown. I thought this should be easy! I replaced the bulb-but the light still does not work..
I then tested the socket and find that it is getting 12V at the red wire, but that the other side of the wire was not grounding as it is supposed to. This is the wire that goes to the alternator and is grounded when the engine is not running. I began tracing the wires back under the dash to find that wire was melted the length of the wire all the way back to the fuse box. I pulled the screws and removed the fuse box to get behind it. I found that the 24 BRN/W resistance wire is melted and open as it was completely severed as well.
I have two problems. I replaced the 16 BRN wire from the "GEN" light all the way back to the fuse panel, and confirmed that the wire was good from the junction block on the firewall side out to the alternator. I did NOT replace the 24 BRN / W resistance wire. I can now test the socket and I get ground on the 16 BRN side (wire that I replaced), and 12V+ on the Red side. However, when I put a known good bulb in the socket-it will not light! I know one side of the circuit is good as I just replaced it and tested it. Is it possible that the red wire providing power is also melted up under the dash as well allowing my voltmeter to show that it is carrying the current, but not providing enough current to light the bulb? I have tried everything but it will not light the light even though the current (according to my voltmeter) and the ground are in place..
Second problem-do I need to do something to put the resistance wire back in place? If so, can I use regular 16 gauge wire with a 5.6Kohm resistor in line to bring the resistance in? I realize I am replacing a 24 gauge wire, but with the resistor I think it should work. Do I even need to replace that wire at all??
Your help is sincerely appreciated as I don't want to burn my car to the ground!
Wiring harness can be viewed here:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/50477528/50479352zKnZQC#
Thanks again for any input on this matter.
I then tested the socket and find that it is getting 12V at the red wire, but that the other side of the wire was not grounding as it is supposed to. This is the wire that goes to the alternator and is grounded when the engine is not running. I began tracing the wires back under the dash to find that wire was melted the length of the wire all the way back to the fuse box. I pulled the screws and removed the fuse box to get behind it. I found that the 24 BRN/W resistance wire is melted and open as it was completely severed as well.
I have two problems. I replaced the 16 BRN wire from the "GEN" light all the way back to the fuse panel, and confirmed that the wire was good from the junction block on the firewall side out to the alternator. I did NOT replace the 24 BRN / W resistance wire. I can now test the socket and I get ground on the 16 BRN side (wire that I replaced), and 12V+ on the Red side. However, when I put a known good bulb in the socket-it will not light! I know one side of the circuit is good as I just replaced it and tested it. Is it possible that the red wire providing power is also melted up under the dash as well allowing my voltmeter to show that it is carrying the current, but not providing enough current to light the bulb? I have tried everything but it will not light the light even though the current (according to my voltmeter) and the ground are in place..
Second problem-do I need to do something to put the resistance wire back in place? If so, can I use regular 16 gauge wire with a 5.6Kohm resistor in line to bring the resistance in? I realize I am replacing a 24 gauge wire, but with the resistor I think it should work. Do I even need to replace that wire at all??
Your help is sincerely appreciated as I don't want to burn my car to the ground!
Wiring harness can be viewed here:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/50477528/50479352zKnZQC#
Thanks again for any input on this matter.