gregd

Hope someone can help me out with this. Truck starts and runs great. Headlights and turn signals and gauges work but not much else. No wipers, radio, or power windows, also rear antilock brake light is on. This happened yesterday and quickly fixed itself. Today the problem seems to be here to stay. It has to be more than a single fuse. Where do I look first. Thanks for any input. This is on a 1990.

fltdriver

If it fixed itself that suggests a bad connection or faulty wiring, check the connectors for those items (especially the abs-been known to come loose) and clean them with QD Electronic Clean, but I'm guessing you have a ground issue. Clean up the grounds on the vehicle (sand frame and eyelets, wire brush the bolts). If that doesn't help the relay may be bad, or maxi fuse. It's pretty much just guessing without being there. You could start by pulling the maxi fuses since they usually control a number of components, if one of them is blown you have a real issue that should be tracked down asap because it takes a lot to make them blow. If no maxi's are bad check the relays, if you happen to have an extra laying around that is good switch it out with the one that controls those components. Your owners manual will have a list of what each relay controls, if you don't have one they can be found by googling it. If you don't have an extra you can pull one from a working component (so long as the amp rating is the same, again...google is your friend) and swap it in.

VickMacky

I know nothing about electrical but I think the first response you'll get is check the fuses then start checking the grounds.

gregd

Well I wiggled a couple fuses and everything started working again. It looks like the problem is gone for now. From looking at the fuse chart the problem was causing no power on several different fuses. Not sure were the maxi fuses you mentioned are located. This truck doesn't get driven very often. The only thing odd I see is ants crawling all over the truck. Real tiny Ants. Probably not related.

fltdriver

Maxi fuses are very large fuses in the box under the hood. If wiggling the fuses fixed the problem you should:
Disconnect the battery
Pull one fuse at a time, spray the female terminals and male prongs with QD Electronic Clean.
Insert and remove the fuse a few times.
Use shop air or blow into the female holder to ensure complete evaporation
Replace the fuse
Continue for each fuse
Connect battery
This will clean the fuse terminals, if the problem happens again you may have to pull the panel and ensure everything is still properly attached.

gregd

Thanks for the input I appreciate it. Truck is starting to bust my chops the last few years. More problems in the last 2 years than the first 22. Nothing to get worked up about.

Chris_1

iTrader: (1)

22 year old fuses could stand replacing without bustin' the bank too

fltdriver

Agreed, get a fuse assortment from rockauto 120 fuses for $10-12, or just order them individually. Either way is cheaper than auto parts store, even with the shipping.

Just call me Sean

iTrader: (1)

1990 doesn't have maxi fuses.

fltdriver

LOL, probably why he didn't know what I was talking about.