Jeep CJ Grounds and Fuse Issues
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- čas přidán 4. 08. 2024
- In this video we talk about grounding issues and flasher fuse replacement and how they can affect the entire lighting system in the CJs. Although it's not perfect yet, I found that replacing the flasher/signal fuses, the front parking light bulbs and the rear brake light bulbs, plus making sure the grounds work for each, has solved 98% of my lighting problems.
Parking light bulbs: Sylvania 1157A
Rear Brake Light bulb: Sylvania 1157
Back-up Light bulb: 1156
Flasher/Turn Signal Fuse: 552 (But not sure this is correct for the turn signal)
Dellis6914@gmail.com - wire schematic - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Thanks for the help… I watch all of your videos and are really helpful
Glad to help. Reach out with questions.
this video saved my Memorial Day weekend!!!!! Thanks so much! Converted to led tail lights and i couldn’t get them to work at all. Spent a few hours troubleshooting then saw this. I didn’t realize the tail light plastic case needed to be grounded. Of course they wouldn’t work hanging off the back on the bumper!!! Thanks man!!!
Glad to help. Please reach out with more questions if you have them.
I've had several Jeeps over the years and I recently purchased a 1985 CJ7. I love it and have recently upgraded the old stock headlights to LED. While doing this I removed the front turn signals in order to connect the Hailo turn signals in the head lights. When I reinstalled the turn signals that when I ran into some of the issues your talking about in this video. Discovered the quirky grounding issues. I have an extensive background in electronics so I recognized the issue relatively quickly. Unfortunately I didn't see your video until after this but it was none the less very helpfull in the confirmation. I've enjoyed quite a few of your videos and am looking forward to more.
Thanks for making these video's
Eric
Great to hear. Glad to hear the video helped, even in retrospect. I’ve got a couple more coming, although the frequency of new videos has dropped off in recent months due to other life priorities.
Great looking CJ7!
Thank you. Tried to make it as accurate to its original form as I could.
Great video!
This is a great video. Very helpful. Thanks.
Glad it might be usefull. Iv3e got a few more coming in the next month or so in regards to the later model CJ engine harness and the dash light harness. In both we'll go through all the wires.
This is great. I'm actually working on the parking lights this coming week so this is very timely. I've gotten it to the point where everything works except the one drivers side parking lamp. I'm going to be going through those grounds soon. I've seen people run a separate ground screwed into the back of the housing and to ground. I'm not ready to drill into my original parking lamps yet.
Got the parking lamp working. Changed the turn signal relay.
Excellent. Progress!
Thanks for the video it helps a lot! 🔝
That's what I'm here for. :)
Hi, very cool thanks a lot 👍😁
Just found your channel. This video helped me figure out the turn signal issues I have been having. With my fiberglass body, the grounding doesn't occur through the screws. I have a tab soldered onto the back of the housing that I can connect to with a spade terminal.
Fiberglass tubs pose a whole new set of rules when it comes to electrical connections.
Thanks. I have a 79 cj5 with a wiring system that looks like spaghetti dinner for 50 at grandma Lucia's. I am putting this on the road and all I am really hoping for is functional(consistent) brake lights. Its got all the gremlins. Before I embark on a new wiring harness, which I will do eventually, I am going to attack the grounding. Thanks for your help.
Let me know the progress. Want to help where I can.
Awesome to see what a (real) "GOLDEN EAGLE" looks like. 👌
Getting there. It's all in the details.
Nice Lookin Golden Eagle!
Almost done. Just still need to get the back windows into the hardtop.
Yeah, had similar issues when testing my ‘77 CJ7 after going back together. I wimped out and took over to Collins Bro Jeep (CJ restoration guys in Wiley Tx), and they knocked it out fast. Their head mechanic is like a CJ Savant and can just sense where the wiring error is. ;)
Glad they could help. Not a big fan of that group. Reminds me too much of a bunch of frat boys with too much money.
@@coolguy_CJ7 I just worked with the lower level guys and they were just good guys who love jeeps. I guess Rudy’s is closer to you.
@@roedere Yes he is. About 2.5 hours north. Probably the best and finest parts available, but your going to pay for quality. Which is a good thing in my opinion.
@@coolguy_CJ7 got my doors, hardtop, rollbar and tire carrier from him. Seemed like a nice guy.
My 81 cj5 was a victim of the recent "one in a thousand year" flood in Ft. Laud. After 12 oil and filter changes it ran great, BUT- electrics are nuts! Only 3 flashers work, flash slow and after 5 minutes just stop! One right running light is very dim, gas gauge suddenly go up and down, voltmeter goes on and off, yikes! Didn't have any problems before sitting halfway under water for a day. After watching your vid I see how important ground issues are, I'll start there.
I’m betting it will solve almost every issue you have. Also go through your fuse box and make sure you are getting good connects with the fuses.
I've watched so.many of your videos but hadn't found this one until I searched for cj grounding on Google. I've got an 85 cj7 with a fiberglass body and chasing down electrical issues such as non working TS, taillight, parking light on with brakes, tach, fuel gage. The grounding to the frame checks out...I'll keep chasing
May brother has a fiberglass body. A good approach is to wire a grounding bar somewhere on the body and then connect that to the frame, engine, and battery. Then you can run ground wires directly to that. It will make a lot simpler system.
@@coolguy_CJ7 yeah, it looks like they have a ground strap direct from the engine block to a bolt through the firewall that some grounds behind the dash connect to. The dash panel is also grounded and a couple wires bolted to that.
@@greghuizen the tail lights, parking lights, and headlights all ground through the metal body parts that they mount to. So you’ll need to make sure they are grounded as well.
You could probably make an entire channel just on electrical issues and fixes for the CJ! I have a '78 CJ5 and trying to sore out issues that I think are inadequate grounding of the dash (if that is possible) since wiper motor and dash lights intermittently have worked. Considering just making a braided ground from dash to body, to see if it helps.
Working on it :)
These Jeep’s will drive you nuts, I’m sorry but I laughed at your bizarre light scenarios you explained. My 1975 cj 5 would go from everything working to nothing working to only half working. I know 1975 is part of the red headed step children of Jeep’s, but they are kewL lol. Especially when headlights work, heater works, wipers are nice, glad mine hasn’t got a clock, I’m sure it’d be not working lol. Your videos are helpful, I can tell your more of a perfectionist and more detailed than I am. Be fun to go 4x4ing with you and try to get them stuck middle of nowhere. If your ever in Arkansas let me know in advance and we can have a cold one & talk jeep stuff.thanks again for videos!!
Believe me. There were times I was crying so hard I had to laugh. ;)
Are you close to Bentonville?
@@coolguy_CJ7 Bentonville little over hour away,I’m in berryville/rockhouse area middle of nowhere lol
@@coolguy_CJ7 yes sir,little over one hour away approx.
@@davidcurry9292 My corporate office is there, so the next time I fly out (whenever that is), I'll let you know. Be fun to meet you and you have to bring your CJ.
@@coolguy_CJ7 sounds great! You must work for the waltons,lol
I worked at store# 76 for 8 years, basically my 1st real job.got to personaly meet Sam at least twice,mid to late 1980’s.
Thank you cool guy!!
AMC electrical gremlins are fun to chase. :)
Was having same type issues with my 82 CJ7 kept blowing the brake light fuse. Replacing the turn signal switch in the column fixed that but the left blinker wasn’t blinking. Pulled the lens the bulb looked good but one of the contacts and wires was hanging out the back. The rubber just got too old. Ordered two new crown light assemblies but I’m using OEM screws. The blues are not exactly correct so I’m cutting them off and replacing them. I’m also trying EL12 flashers which is supposed to be an upgrade.
Let me know how the “upgrade” bulbs work out.
I just picked up a 79 CJ7 from my fiancé's dad. It's in decent mechanical condition for being 44 years old, but the electrical system is a complete disaster. The dash lights aren't working and neither is the speedometer/bulbs. The turn signal switch needs to be replaced and only one brake light works. Just ordered some new side marker lights but I don't think those are working either. The headlights and windshield wipers work though lol. I know I haven't even scratched the surface yet and need to start checking fuses and grounding. What are your thoughts on only some things working and others not? Your videos have been very helpful!
Grounds and bad/corroded connections. Get a good voltmeter and email me at dellis6914@gmail.com for a wiring diagram.
Crazy question but can you run your own ground,say to the metal plate in the light bucket to the body or the frame? Thanks, great info
@@ronaldsteveson76 absolutely. Regrounding or adding extra grounds can eliminate a lot of issues with the CJs. Especially with the ones that are prone to rusting, which is all of them :)
Thank You for your very good cj's videos. I have a cj5 77 . I want to replace by myself all the old wires, conextions and fuse box. My Cj5 is the same as original(all manual, mechanic: brakes(4 drum brakes), stearing, 258 engine). Could you make a electrical wire harnes recomendation?. I see a lot of different wire harnes from Painless Performance and I don't reality know wich is better. The thing is this is urgent to replace the original electric installation. Thank's for your help Me Cool guy
I don't have any recommendations for the wire harnesses in regards to brands. I try to stay with the original harness for sake of ease. I know that they are not great, but I'd rather replace a couple messed up wires or connectors than spend $400 on a harness that I have to customize to my CJ. Just my .02.
Cool Guy excellent videos keep them coming. I have a 1982 Jeep Cj-7..For another video..how about replacing the round rubber mounts that fill the under body of the Jeep
When I rebuild the egine on the 84 I will do that video when I put it back together.
Great suggestion. Mine look like 50 year old bagels.
@@KENFEDOR22 the rubber is the least of my concern. My jeep the body isnt bad for where its from but the mounts have rotted away under the rubber. When i flex out the jeep the rear crossmember separates from the body mount even though the hardware is mint.
Nice video, Cool Guy! I guess I'm lucky with my '86 CJ7 that I've had for 22 years. The usual culprit is a bad bulb followed by corroded/rusted ground connections. Where in Ohio are you?
Grounds are the essence of CJ functionality :).
Cincinnati.
Your front signal lights should blink alternately from side to front ?
Yep. That is what I still need to figure out. I think the flasher fuse is or needs to be a 224, not a 552. Just need to find a fuse that isn't as ohM dependent.
Does anybody knows if I can replace the seats of My old 77 cj5 for special seats with built on cushioning (same as truck seats)?
You can always try. I've seen people do all kinds of interesting versions of seat application on CJs. I wouldn't recommend 99% of them but you could say that CJ stands for Custom Jeep. :)
i have an 1983 im restoring and all the electrical finally works but when i have head lights on the front blinkers dont blink?
As far as I know, when the headlights are on, the front parking lights do not blink on signal. Only the fender lights blink at that point. Try turning on your headlights and then activate the hazards. If they don’t blink then there is a ground/connection issue.
Been a while since you posted this, but I would love a copy of the wiring diagram.
Email me at dellis6914@gmail.com
I’m experiencing an odd wiring/signal/track light issue. My passenger track light has never worked. I replaced it and it didn’t work and then my running/signal (passenger side) stopped working. Check the ground (screws) and replaced two fuses, it began to work. Now, and I’ve changed nothing else and now my track light works and when I trigger the blinker the track light blinks and the running light goes out. And the signal in the cluster is always on when I have the lights on. Is it an issue with wiring in the steering column?
Send an email to dellis6914@gmail.com and I’ll get a wiring diagram to you. It sounds like you’ve got a grounding issues probably in the grill area.
Another question. Where are the track lights grounded?
@@mikeking85 through the front parking lights. You can trace the ground wire to the front lights. If you have a voltmeter with continuity, that will help to trace.
I had weird issues unrelated to the ground. Turns out from the factory amc used a crimp in a smooth tape with fibers gray in color similar to duct tape. Yes its factory ( amc was pretty crappy quality even for back in the day) jeeps been in the family since it had 800 miles in 1981 and my 1982 had the same splice in the same spot. Its tucked in loom behimd the driverside headlight bucket, its a crimp but jist the metal part. Also another one uo near the fuse block on the engine side of the fire wall on a red wire i think. Any how it was coroded and i guess 40 years in the salt and the jeep spending almost its whole life outdoors it started causing trouble. It is a splice where the parking or turn signal split off for the side marker . Been working good since i solidered it.
Actually you'll find a few of those in the later model CJs engine harness with the computer as well as the dash wire harness for all 76-86 cjs. Particularly for the orange light power wire and the ground wire splice. I'm going to put a video out soon that explains the whole harness behind the dash and the later model 258 engine. How to clean them up, what wire does what and how to fix if necessary. I just havent had time to get to it yet. Your insight is helpful to help m explain it.
Could you please share the color information on your golden eagle, the base white and the tan hard top. I'm having problems finding the color for the hard top. Or direct me to a video where you painted, I couldn't find one. Thanks for your videos they are always very helpful!
5:20 mark of this video for the GE hardtop color: czcams.com/video/PRqBu-rRERU/video.html
Eastwood ‘64-68 GM Ermine-Cameo white. Single stage urethane. Nice creamy white that works great with the GE gold trim and decals.
@@coolguy_CJ7 I really appreciate the information. I have been deciding this for a year now and seeing your beautiful jeep made my decision!
@@coolguy_CJ7 I see that you use black as an offset color with your center console. what color is your door panel trim and carpet?
My dash break light won't turn off any idea?
Let’s start with what has changed. New wiring? Any paint applied? Was it working before?
Hey guys! I’ve got a ‘76 CJ7. I’m having an issue with my headlights, quarter panel reflector lights, running brake lights and cabin lights; after several minutes of being on they will begin to flicker in intervals of a few seconds or so, sometimes longer than others. I’ve replaced the headlight switch and that solved the issue for a couple months. However, the issue has arose again, any ideas for a fix? I’m not too electrically inclined.
I’ve got the same issue! High and low beam seemed to fix it for a little while but it comes back. Do your lights flicker then go out? Mine go out after they flicker.
email is in the description. contact me and I'll send you the wiring diagram
Steve, it sounds like you've got a loose or corroded connection in your line. Most of these connectors were tinned copper and tin corrosion does not conduct electricity. I'd go back and sand all connectors and use dielectric grease. Not ideal, but it does help reduce the things to check and you'll learn a lot in the process.
@@coolguy_CJ7 Maybe run a new connection wire in parallel - that should answer whether or not the existing wire is corroded. This works with ground wires too. A corroded wire does seem to make sense, though.
@@KENFEDOR22 Great build. I actually did that to test whether my fuel gauge or sending unit was bad.
Jeep wiring Gremlins seem to be a common occurrance thats for sure. Sounds like it's just part of the rebuilding process.
The wiring itself isn't too bad for the time period. The problems arise from 3 things. Rusted over ground connections from very poor corrosion protection. AMC being excessively cheap and using the frame, body components and poorly placed grounding spots as an electrical circuit. And POs bastardizing it to try and solve problems they didn't understand the cause of. Once you get it right, it's really nice to have the knowledge.
nice tips... doing a fiberglass body swap is way worse for grounds
My brother did that to a CJ5. Basically he had to run everything to a grounding bar mounted somewhere in the engine bay. Then connected it to the frame and the negative post on the battery. Testing everything was difficult, but he got it done.
Its what im about to do. But first im building a steel skeliton in the jeep tub to beef up the fiberglass. The steel doesnt last in the salt here and i plan to drive this jeep till the day i die and i dont plan on dieing so im gonna build it to last longer than me. Have small distribution blocks for the small stuff and will run larger wire for the big stuff. Plan is to have a ground bar under the hood and one under the dash and maybe 1 sealed up in the back somwhere, we will see.
You have to tie the rollbar into the frame too and beef up your seat belt mounts and seat mounts. My 1981 the belt retractor mounts on the roll bar but my 1985 mounts on the door jam support.
Had the same problem with my 82 CJ7
Did you get it fixed? If so, what did you do?
@@coolguy_CJ7 I didn’t yet right now I’m fuel injecting the Jeep and fixing my speedometer, I’m buying led halo headlights and euro taillights
@@coolguy_CJ7 I have not yet but will definitely attempt what you recommended to do
On my Speedo, the brake light stays on, any ideas why?
Have you checked the black signal wire that runs to the parking brake pedal? The switch lever maybe be stuck or corroded.
@@coolguy_CJ7 I sanded the corrosion down and it still stays on, what else could it be?
Interesting. When your parking brake is engaged, it completes the circuit by way of grounding through the pin contacting the back of the brake lever/arm. If that connection doesn't open when the brake is released, then the light won't turn off. What happens if you disconnect the black wire from the parking brake switch?
@@coolguy_CJ7 the light stays on
Is this the only light in your speedometer that does this? All other lights function as they should?
I've got many of the same issues. I've given up.
Can't give up. What are your exact issues?
If you give up the gremlins win. Whats the jeep doing?
@@chickensfloat7427 Sometimes the gremlins win.
Have all sorts of electrical issues will try everything you suggested and let you know if I need help. 1978 cj7 Thanks fo
For sharing your experiences and knowledge
Happy to help. Can’t say we’ll get rid of all the gremlins, but I bet we can fix most of them :)