Crazy Electric 77 Jeep CJ5

[Martyman17]

Everything was great with the electric a few months ago when I purchased my 77 CJ5 . Now things are nuts. With the lights off the drivers side front marker lamp is on. Wne I turn the marker lights to the on position that lamp goes out, same in the headlamp position. With the headlamps on the blinkers do not work, nor do the brake lights. The warning light on the panel for the BRAKE is always on. My battery is good and I do not think I messed with any of the wires. Any ideas on how to trouble shoot the problem? As far as lamps go I think that the drivers side rear turn signal element is burned out. I am not sure if the turn sigmals are working or not. HELP!

 

[IOPort51]

The first problem I see is you are living in a town called Temperance. No good could come of that.
I would have to say you have shorted something together. Do you remember smelling smoke at any time?? What does the wiring look like?? Is it "field modified"??
Check and clean all your grounds, my first guess, and check the brakes.
This requires tenacity a VOM and a good wiring diagram. Good luck.
Something changed, you just have to find out what it was.

Everything was great with the electric a few months ago when I purchased my 77 CJ5 . Now things are nuts. With the lights off the drivers side front marker lamp is on. Wne I turn the marker lights to the on position that lamp goes out, same in the headlamp position. With the headlamps on the blinkers do not work, nor do the brake lights. The warning light on the panel for the BRAKE is always on. My battery is good and I do not think I messed with any of the wires. Any ideas on how to trouble shoot the problem? As far as lamps go I think that the drivers side rear turn signal element is burned out. I am not sure if the turn sigmals are working or not. HELP!

 

[priceg]

Don't forget all those rusty grounds.

 

[1970 beepbeep]

Like above. Start checking for corroded or rusty grounds.

 

[CJ]

Grounds, grounds, grounds...

 

[Sasquach]

Grounds, grounds, grounds...

What does the wiring look like?? Is it "field modified"?? IO this forum would be pretty dull without you.

I agree with checking your grounds but I'm no electrical engineer and to have a light come on without the switch on does not qualify as a bad ground candidate in my twisted way of thinking.

 

[CJ]

If the electrical system was working before, and then device behavior changed (headlamps, marker lamps - all grounded through the front grill) - and NO rewiring had taken place... Most likely the only thing is the ground circuit has changed.

Chase it back and check continuity...

 

[brian613]

Or the switch is shorting out. Most of the issues go through the switch so I would check that also