Electrical issue and need help...

Jacob

Jacob

Forum Member
Not sure what section to post this in as I didn't see one for electrical so if its a issue,please move it to the correct section and i'll find it..

Anyways,
I have a odd electrical problem which ive never in my life seen..Other than explaining whats going on,I took a video so you can see exactly whats going on...I don't even know where to start with this ---->

 
Ignition switch down on the column might be stuck in "on" position. Try moving the tilt wheel when you turn it off.

It's located on the top of the steering column, half way down towards the firewall. It has a rod that goes from the lock cylinder to the switch. Wiggle the rod towards and away from the switch and see if anything changes. If so the switch is like $20 and you'll have to drop the column down enough to get to it. Not really hard to do.
 
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Fuse #14 is for your Power windows and should only have power in accessory or run. The radio fuse is #11 and is the same. The ignition switch may be bad. If you pull the column covers off there should be a black and light green wire. This supplys power to both of the fuses mentioned above. Did you try wiggling the ignition around to see if it kills the power?
 
BigWheelinBubba said:
Ignition switch down on the column might be stuck in "on" position. Try moving the tilt wheel when you turn it off.

It's located on the top of the steering column, half way down towards the firewall. It has a rod that goes from the lock cylinder to the switch. Wiggle the rod towards and away from the switch and see if anything changes. If so the switch is like $20 and you'll have to drop the column down enough to get to it. Not really hard to do.
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1bf46eaf5f35788c3114e7403d600f16f3af03c0b356c9383b9461700ba021ff.jpg
 
BigWheelinBubba said:
Ignition switch down on the column might be stuck in "on" position. Try moving the tilt wheel when you turn it off.

It's located on the top of the steering column, half way down towards the firewall. It has a rod that goes from the lock cylinder to the switch. Wiggle the rod towards and away from the switch and see if anything changes. If so the switch is like $20 and you'll have to drop the column down enough to get to it. Not really hard to do.
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Mike,
I'll try that tomorrow and see what happens..Owned so many Foxbodys and this is the first time I ever had a electrical issue..Im pretty good at chasing down no spark and no fuel power but never had something like this happen...Thanks and i'll report back as soon as I check it...
 
SuperStang90 said:
Fuse #14 is for your Power windows and should only have power in accessory or run. The radio fuse is #11 and is the same. The ignition switch may be bad. If you pull the column covers off there should be a black and light green wire. This supplys power to both of the fuses mentioned above. Did you try wiggling the ignition around to see if it kills the power?
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SS90,
Yes sir,I tried wiggling the tumbler/ignition and slowly turned the key both ways while holding the window switch and still had power..Im also wondering if something else has power because the new/fully charged battery was dead in 3 days and nothing was on,not even the radio...Guess I could be wrong but it shouldn't go dead ever with power to the radio/windows because that power isn't being used?Am I wrong about that,reallynot sure lol?I'll try wiggling the rod in/out and see what happens..Thanks man..
 
I can appreciate your wanting to fix this yourself as a learning experience. Electrical issues can drive even the old Fox body veterans nuts.
Duke. Downriver Motorsports Wiring. You won't find a better guy to identify and fix this. He's a fair cruise away, but it could be the difference between constantly fighting this issue and being pissed off, or getting it fixed and enjoying the car. It does look quite sharp by the way.
 
Jacob said:
Only way to learn is to do it myself....I'll just unhook the neg battery cable at night until I find the issue..Thanks...
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Great answer! Does the car have an aftermarket alarm on it ? I've seen faulty alarms back feed into the ignition and acc. circuits causing issues like this. If you need any help with wiring codes lmk.
 
It can still drain the battery even though you arent using the stuff. Either someone messed with the wiring on the car, or you have something wrong with your ign switch not shutting off all the way. See if your wipers turn on as well. Take your meter, with the ign off, and the column shrouds off and probe the black wire with light green stripe. if it has 12v then my guess would be you need an ign switch
 
OldbutNew said:
I can appreciate your wanting to fix this yourself as a learning experience. Electrical issues can drive even the old Fox body veterans nuts.
Duke. Downriver Motorsports Wiring. You won't find a better guy to identify and fix this. He's a fair cruise away, but it could be the difference between constantly fighting this issue and being pissed off, or getting it fixed and enjoying the car. It does look quite sharp by the way.
Click to expand...

The number one rule I follow no matter how hard or stress full something is,is to jump in with both feet..Im sure i'll get it taken care of,even if it take 2 months lol..Once this is taken car of,I know what to look for if it ever happens again and I can pass along what I know or help another person out :) ..Thanks man and I hope to keep it this way..
 
79cobra said:
Great answer! Does the car have an aftermarket alarm on it ? I've seen faulty alarms back feed into the ignition and acc. circuits causing issues like this. If you need any help with wiring codes lmk.
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Thats the first thing I looked for and couldn't find anything under the dash..I'll for sure let ya know if I need any wiring codes..Thanks...
 
When my 88 was new I had to take it in to the dealer for an ignition switch recall, Think it was getting hot and burned up the connector.. If that isn’t it I’d start at that aftermarket radio, pull it out and make sure it’s wired right.
 
SuperStang90 said:
It can still drain the battery even though you arent using the stuff. Either someone messed with the wiring on the car, or you have something wrong with your ign switch not shutting off all the way. See if your wipers turn on as well. Take your meter, with the ign off, and the column shrouds off and probe the black wire with light green stripe. if it has 12v then my guess would be you need an ign switch
Click to expand...

Well thats good to know because I didn't think it would draw that much but to be on the safe side,ive been disconnecting the neg cable from the battery..I do know the two bolts that go through the bracket at the top were loose because the steering wheel was loose which I already took care of..I think it was loose because someone was screwing around trying to find out why the wiper motor didn't work,ended up being the motor its self..Not sure if thats why they were messing around with it but someone was forsure doing something..

I have no garage and its flippin freezing out so i'll go through everything like you said Sat,going to be 30 degrees lol...Thanks so much and i'll update sometime Sat :) ..
 
94 Drop said:
When my 88 was new I had to take it in to the dealer for an ignition switch recall, Think it was getting hot and burned up the connector.. If that isn’t it I’d start at that aftermarket radio, pull it out and make sure it’s wired right.
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Well now im glad I pull the cable off the battery,last thing I need it the car to catch fire..Im driving it to my buddys Sat so I can finish taking the 331 stroker out of my 89 GT so..Just for the hell of it,i'll swap the ignition switch..Really sounds like thats the issue and if it is,i'll buy a new one that day if Auto-Zone has them in stock (If they stock them)..Thanks man..
 
I agree with Bubba & SuperStang, you have an issue with the ignition. Pull the covers off of the steering column. Put the key in a get it to stick like you did in the vid. Take the handle of a screwdriver and tap on the ignition switch module. Here is a pic of what you are looking for. And, as a side note, Late Model Resto sells replacements for $15.

lrs-11572a_6049.jpg
 
Jacob said:
Well now im glad I pull the cable off the battery,last thing I need it the car to catch fire..Im driving it to my buddys Sat so I can finish taking the 331 stroker out of my 89 GT so..Just for the hell of it,i'll swap the ignition switch..Really sounds like thats the issue and if it is,i'll buy a new one that day if Auto-Zone has them in stock (If they stock them)..Thanks man..
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STAY THE FUCK OUT OF AUTOZONE! Their parts are JUNK. Go to Reiko at Mike's Auto Parts he'll get you better parts for close to the same price.
 
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