hello,

new member to the forum - i have started bringing a 1981 dodge d150 back from the dead - have got it running but now am tackling some electrical issues -

starter works, headlights work.

nothing else - no fan, no blinkers, no radio etc.

i have metered the positive wires through the fusible links, have 12+ volts all the way to the fuse panels through bulkhead but not sure where to look now. i think it has the newer style ammeter than the previous models that had some issues.

have yet to open up dash and take a look at back of ammeter for any issues.

truck sat for about 20 years, horn relay is cracked, hazard relay missing but most other interior wiring looks intact.

any advice on where to look next?


thanks

 

the horn relay and horns are likely dead if they are still in tack. those are something that don't age well. you might need need flasher relays to get things works. the best thing to do is put the key in the run position and test every fuse for power with a test light or multi meter. you can also test for power in and out of the ignition switch. this should help you with that.

 

thanks wolfie, are the ignition switches in these trucks known to fail? is it worth bypassing the ammeter as recommended for the earlier models ( going to have dash apart anyway)

thanks,
pleather

 

no not really. no need to bypass it. it is only a shunt type amp meter which are pretty much useless