I just picked up a 79 vette a couple of weeks ago and have found some electrical issue's I am trying to fix, maybe some of you electrical  guru's can help me out.. The first problem I had was the dash and gauge cluster lights weren't working so I check the fuse and it's blown I replace the fuse and check the lights and there working but they pulse and then blow the fuse...

The radio is an after market cd player...This is where bubba takes over
SO when you turn the car on the radio comes on but the pre sets get erased every time  you turn the car off..Easy fix.. Then if you happen to be driving in the rain and are using the interminit  wipers the radio power goes on and off with th wipers, well thats not right so I take the center gauge cluster apart to track down the bubba wiring and find that bubba tapped into the the wiper relay harness.. So i disconnect all the radio wiring as I am going to replace the radio anyway..
 
Well I figure since I have the center concule  apart I would try and track down the pulsing lights problem.. I start at the printed circuit board which seems a bit brittle and needs to be replaced...But my big issue now is while tracing wires and looking for loose or frayed wires the pulsing lights stopped but now the dash and gauge lights won't turn off at all even with the ignition off. I also lost power to the rear defroster and the heater motor won't turn on I have been racking my brain for the last couple of day's trying to fix this problem...Anybody have any idea's were to start?

Thanks for any help and sorry for such a long post

Tim

In the radio wiring make sure the gray wire in not connected to any other wire, especially the yellow which is ign.switch on hot. That incorrect connection might  backfeed power to the dash lights through the radio dial light. No factory hookup for a radio memory in a 79 harness so who knows where bubba tried to find power for it.

Other than that I'd remove any obvious bubba wiring and start tracing everything back. Also, get a GM service manual for 79 Corvette, very helpfull. Excellent wiring diagrams.   Mike

mkapp78792007-01-07 16:50:15

'Lectrics on 'Vettes can be a nightmare, especially the later cars! Mike is right in suggesting the factory manual(s)
Sounds like you do have a power/ground wire touching somewhere in that Bubba mess. I do not envy you having to trace that!
If you can get some clear pics of the area, we might be able to hone in on the suspect a little quicker.

[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]
If you can get some clear pics of the area, we might be able to hone in on the suspect a little quicker.[/QUOTE]

Hey Joel don't yall have access to da wiring schematics fer dis car? Then Tim can start to backtrack his problem areas to maintain they are wired into the correct locations.

Your pusating dash lights were fixed when you unplugged the radio which bubba ran from the wiper motor. (hey thars a hot wire).

Its gonna be a one wire at a time (I'm tired of layin here) type thing until all is well.

As mentioned if'n ya post some pics we can help yer hunt some too.

Good Luck.Tuxblacray2007-01-08 07:09:03

I e-mailed him a diagram yestiddy.

[QUOTE=jgoglick][QUOTE=Adams' Apple]
If you can get some clear pics of the area, we might be able to hone in on the suspect a little quicker.[/QUOTE] [/QUOTE]
Yea, I never new my body could twist like that, that would probable explain the recent back pain I've been having

Hey Joel thanks for sending that wire diagram over that will come really handy since I have the whole dash apart right now. I stopped at the library yesterday and they just happen to have the 79 vette service manual which hasn't been checked out in over 10 years I'm hoping between the wire diagram and the service manual I can track down the wiring issue..

I'll try and post some pictures later in the week and maybe  you guy's will see something I am missing... Thanks for all the help.

Tim

I finally got around to taking some pictures, but I still have no luck finding the electrical gremlin thats giving me the problem. The lights on the dash and gauge cluster still stay light when the car is off and I replaced the headlight switch and now when I plug the new headlight switch in, the parking lights come on when the switch nob is in the pushed in position and if you turn the dimmer switch  The parking lights dim 

I think the problem with the headlight switch is the plug was melted like it previously had a short and melted some of the plug.... (Does anyone know where I can order a new plug)

I traced most of the wires and was unable to find any frayed or broken wires
so I am at a loss as to where to look next, I tried posting  the pictures  but it  kept refusing to post them, So when I figure it out i will post some pictures.

Tim

Try Lectric Limited for the plug, or any other lectrical stuff.

Make sure the pics you are trying to post are not too large. I've found it easiest to load pics in the 200-300kb range, even tho we are supposed to have a 500kb limit.

"Bubba" had a good time on your car, it sounds like. Maybe too much moonshine...

I had a lot of the same problems with my car.  ( course when I bought it some assembly was required ) My biggest problem was the extra wires bubba brought in, that were not on any wire diagrams !