Odd electrical issue

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mbaird

mbaird

mbaird
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I installed a tach that I bought from a member tonight and when I tried to start the car it just cranked....I started it yesterday and backed it in and out f the garage.
While I was trying to diagnose the issue I tried disconnecting the positive terminal and check for continuity with my test light . With the key off I got nothing but with the key in run the light was very dim....

So I trued the same test on my Barracuda.
This time with the key off the test light starting blinking as if the blinkers were on ! WTF ? I confirmed the blinkers were not on .
With the key one I got a nice bright test light.

What the hell is going on with both cars ?
Did the tac mess up my Daytona Systems ignition box ?
 
Well the thing is I cannot tell you a thing about a Daytona ignition. What is it? If it is CD, you do NOT want anything at all connected to the coil except the two coming from "the box."
 
Once again, my crystal ball is broken.
 
Daytona Sensors is similar to a MSD. I used the tach feed from the box . I am sure I wired the tach correctly .

RRR ... not sure what else I can include to "Enlighten " you ?
 
Then I don't know. Do you have some conventional "switched" ignition you an wire the tach up to and check it?
 
What about the mystery of the Barracuda and the blinking test light ? I drive it all the time . What could cause it to blink with the key off ? Maybe the clock in the stereo ...
 
Don't know. Is this a powered test lamp? You mentioned continuity. Were exactly was the light connected? It may have an internal protector or something
 
Unpowered test light between the positive battery cable and the terminal .
The light works fine . I used it several times today
 
I didnt spend much time diagnosing.
I will check it over tomorrow
 
Memory circuit in aftermarket stereo will show a small draw. Blinking? I haven't seen that. I suppose blinking is possible with some of them. Best to check with your test lamp between ground cable and neg' post. Positive side generates sparks.
 
mbaird said:
Unpowered test light between the positive battery cable and the terminal .
The light works fine . I used it several times today
Click to expand...


OK you are still not clear. You are saying you disconnected the positive cable and put the light in series, between the positive cable and the battery terminal? And "everything" in the car is supposed to be off?

I'm with Redfish here. I would suspect something aftermarket. Also, ALL cars have "some" draw, getting down into less and less milliamps. As your test lamp gets smaller, it is more sensitive. If this happens to be say, an LED test lamp, I could visualize a draw that would be "on the verge" of triggering a diode into conduction, thus flickering the lamp. I have a Fluke meter, EG if you check some LED individual diodes with that, it will flicker the LED sometimes.

I would measure the draw with your meter, and see what that indicates. I would guess based on your statements that the draw is very low, so be ready to get your meter down into the milliamp range. You might be "seeing" a diode in the alternator, or one of the radio suppression caps. Or as Redfish suggested. And I agree with you clock?
 
Sorry for the delay ... I have lots of projects going . Kitchen remodel as well .
image.jpg
 
Ok ... I figured out the Dart.
I put a larger 750 amp battery in it yesterday and it must have a bad cell . The engine cranked but must not have had enough juice to fire the ignition . Of course I only figured this out after going thru every wire under the dash !
Tach I bought from member is shot.... I am just about done buying from FABO members.

Still not sure about the blinker test light on the Barracuda... there is no blinking clock in the stereo which I thought might be causing it. The car runs fine so I am not worried... just think its weird. Low voltage slow rhythmic pulse...strange
 
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