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Electrical Questions

387 views 5 replies 2 participants last post by  **DONOTDELETE** 
G
#1 ·
HELP!! how come electrical systems are always the last ones i can figure out. well i can actually never figure them out. so please help with this one.
while a good friend was installing the metal frame for the stereo it sparked (shorted) against the volt meter gage in the dash.
now the stereo works fine and sounds great BUT the volt meter is dead as well as the fuel and temp in the speedo.
no fuses are blown. all the wires have been checked on the gages. any ideas or helpful information???
yes it's the 83 CJ-7.
thanx, bob

83 CJ-7 TF-999, Original stock EVERYTHING when purchased. Now added leafs, shackles and shocks with new 33's. AND FINALLY PAINT !!!!! Now lets break something!!!
 
#2 ·
Ok, one does not "spark" something.. that's called shorting. I suspect the frame shorted out the voltmeter, or took out the regulator strap to the fuel gauge. But since the voltmeter is not working and the fuse that feeds the voltmeter is intact, then the only problem would be wire feeding the meter or the meter itself.


LEVE
 
G
#3 ·
hey thanks LEVE. sorry about the bad terminology. how can i check the voltmeter. will temporarily wiring it directly to the battery show a reading on the voltmeter or ruin it?
one more thing, does the voltmeter show the charge from the alternator or the battery itself when the engine is running?

83 CJ-7 TF-999, Original stock EVERYTHING when purchased. Now added leafs, shackles and shocks with new 33's. AND FINALLY PAINT !!!!! Now lets break something!!!
 
#4 ·
The voltmeter is grounded through it's case. If you remvoe the voltmeter and:

a. ground the case.
b. wire the positive 12 volts to the other terminal.

You should see the meter move. If it does not move.... I suspect it's toast.

The voltmeter shows the alternator output...


LEVE
 
#5 ·
Re-place the fuse that feeds the dash panel gauges even if it looks good first of all. There is one for the lights and another that feeds the gauges.
Check the wiring thoroughly for a burnt connection.
I think it's unusual to knock out both the fuel/temp AND the voltmeter all in one jolt. They share a common 12V. input (12v to the voltmeter- driver's side post- and 12v to the fuel gauge's 'I' post.
You need a hand held volt/ohm meter or just a light bulb to first check to see if you are gettng juice to these gauges or since the sterio works, connect it's hot wire to the volt meter next to it and see if you get a reading with the ingition on.
After you are positive the gauges are getting juice and the still don't work they are probably cooked but you can run the diagnostics on them from my Gauge Article at http://www.monsterslayer.com/jeep/Gauges.htm to make sure.
Read it anyway to get an idea of the circuitry and see the pics to know which posts on the gauges to check.
I do still have a feeling you have a bad fuse or fried a connection and the gauges aren't getting any juice.
Good luck!

JAF
http://www.monsterslayer.com/jeep
 
G
#6 ·
wow thanks the gage page is awesome
thanks to you and all those who spent the time to make it and help edumacate the rest of us

thanks again

83 CJ-7 TF-999, Original stock EVERYTHING when purchased. Now added leafs, shackles and shocks with new 33's. AND FINALLY PAINT !!!!! Now lets break something!!!
 
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