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Electrical short continues- need advice

OK- I've read replies to posts on finding shorts in circuits so let me say up front: I don't know how to use an ohmmeter or any other electrical meter to find a short. :-)

My truck: 1990 K1500 5.7L, Long bed, standard cab (According to the previous owner, truck had body work on the left side of the front end- he claims there was no short prior to the body work. I'm not sure I believe him as several other things weren't true!)

Symptoms: (1) When parking/headlight switch is OFF: All lights work EXCEPT the ashtray, radio and climate control lights will flash in sync with the left turn signal when it is used.

(2) If the parking/headlight switch is ON: (a) the left turn signal light on the dash stays on (no flashing) and (b) the taillight turn signal bulb stays on and (c) when used, the left turn signal does not flash

I've done the following without success or change in symptoms: (1) Removed the left taillight housing checked all the wiring (2) Removed the trailer wiring completely (3) Removed the grill and checked all the wiring in the front headlight/ parking/turn signal sockets (4) Dismantled the steering column and replaced the turn signal switch (5) Traced all the wiring through the steering column to the radio, climate control, ashtray- no visible problems (6) Disconnected the parking/headlight switch and the dash dimmer switch from the wiring harness (7) Filed and reattached the ground wires at the front (behind the headlight) and the rear (attached to the frame) (8) Replaced the turn signal and flasher fuses/units just in case

Very frustrating! Any suggestions? Thanks in advance for ANY helpful advice!

Tim Bluff City, TN, USA

Reply to
Tim Urbin
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This sounds like a bulb with a dead short in it. Have you replaced any of the blinker bulbs (on the corners of the truck)? The rest - I can't help you with, I'd have to be there.

GMC Gremlin

Reply to
GMC Gremlin

Reply to
Rich

Thanks, guys, for the suggestions. I hadn't checked for a shorted bulb so I will start there. I have checked the loom for visibly broken wires but haven't actually cut one. I'll give that a try after checking the bulbs. I know they all flash when the headlight switch is off, but it sounds like the easiest thing to do first is to double check the bulbs!

I'll get back to you- Thanks, again!

Tim Bluff City, TN

Reply to
Tim Urbin

Thanks Rico and Gremlin!

I looked at the left front turn signal bulbs as you suggested- that was the corner that was hit and the previous owner reported that the problem started after the accident.

When I removed one of the two yellow bulbs, I cleaned up the socket a bit and found one of the two little round tabs that are usually on the bottom of the bulb laying across the contacts at the bottom of the socket. Apparently, the previous bulb in that socket was broken in the accident and that little round tab had broken off. I removed it and now everything s fine. (Except for the hours I spent tryng to find the problem! At least now I have experience in taking apart a steering column and dashboard!)

Thanks again! Tim Bluff City, TN USA

Reply to
Tim Urbin

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