ok I dumb as dirt and need wiring help

[Buddy]

OK this is what happened. I have a tach and a few other gauges and a stereo all wired up separate all with different wires running to each. The only thing in common with these is they all go to the same area on the fuse panel. not all to the same fuse but all side by each. this is at the second row from the top on the left of the panel. I was moving some wires around when I happen to cross two wires and pop I popped something. I lost my stereo and tach etc. So the wires I had running to the fuse panel i moved around and found that everything worked again. The problem is this I need those spots in the fuse panel. They are the only ones that are not used and are switched on with the key. So there is no fuse in there so how do i fix the problem. when I check the area for power there now is none. I looked over every fuse and they are all good so where is the fuse or whatever for these 3 spots. The reason I went this way was because the wires before was a mess and I wanted to clean everuthing up.

[beastie_3]

the pop usually sounds like a fuse, but since you checked all of them, I dunno. I dont know what a fusable link sounds like when it goes out, but I dunno if any of the key hot circuits have them.

[Buddy]

yeah I just and double checked them, the only thing i know for sure is the 2nd row down first 4 spots have no power. Got me stumped. there must be some type of fuse some where or a burnt a wire or something.

[bake74]

     You need to inspect the fuse panel, the popping sound could have been the plastic seperating or cracking on the fuse block itself.  Take a flashlight and look everything over real good, the fuse block, the wires, even in between the cab and firewall fuse blocks.  You blew, cracked or broke something to interupt the power flow.

[DnStClr]

Buddy, how about giving us the yr and model of your truck? Did you check the wiring schematics here on this site? They are located in the technical section -page 2. Altho- they don't give a real good look at the fuse blocks.

[Buddy]

my truck is an 85 gmc high serria, no pwer windows, locks or any other options. yes I checked the wire sch. all seems good just the spots that once worked now dont. has to be a fuse or somthing simple. that much i am sure of just cant seem to pin point it

[beastie_3]

Did you look at the fuses, or did you actually take each one out at a time to look? Ive done that before, and found a blown fuse the 2nd time I looked.

[VileZambonie]

First, fix your wiring. Simply moving a wire should not cause the circuit protection to open. When a fuse blows that's a good thing. It did it's job at protecting your truck from a melt down. Eliminate all of your add ons from the circuit panel and check the fuses using a test light with the key on engine off. Hook your test light to ground and touch the back of the fuse on each side. If it lights up on one side but not the other than the fuse is open.

[Buddy]

just stuck a test light on them, beside I not sure but the spot I am talking about didnt have a fuse in it, it just had power going to them and i had a wire stuck in the spot. I cant get my fat head up in there to see if i broke the metal tabs in the fuse holder or somthing like that. I just had the wire crimped onto a plug and stuck that in the panel.... I know kind of a dumb thing to do but i am past that now?

[Buddy]

Ville
i must admit i didnt try both sides of the fuse, i just stuck the light on the fues and if it lit up I moved on, however is it possible to pop a fuse in a lower section from where i was pluged in? I just want to be sure that I am clear. I didnt have a fuse in the spot in question there were 3 open spots that were hot with the key on. I took a wire and stuck it in these sections. Now after i crossed 2 wires all 3 spots are dead. there are still no fuses in these spots I have just been checking them with the test light.

[DnStClr]

Buddy, the spots are fused by a fuse or circuit breaker that is lower than the spot you had your wires in.
On my 87,
The 1st spot in the 2nd row down is fused by the 20 amp horn/dome fuse below it.
the 2nd spot is fused by the same 20 amp horn/dome fuse.
the 3rd spot is fused by a 20 amp IGNITION fuse below it
the 4th spot is protected by a 30 amp pwr window circuit breaker below it.
Check your fuses correctly like Vile shows you. That ignition circuit may have burned a fuse link at the starter.

[Buddy]

ok I will check that ... your last line has me a little confused though please explain what you mean there. Thanks
"That ignition circuit may have burned a fuse link at the starter."

[VileZambonie]

Look at the backside of the fuse panel and you will better understand. The power tap side is protected by the fuses. When the fuse opens you will lose power to those areas.

[DnStClr]

Sure Buddy. The ignition circuits have a fuse link installed in them near the starter, instead of a regular fuse. A fuse link is a smaller gauge wire- usually 4 sizes smaller than the rest of the circuit so it melts quickly with a power surge. I don't think the truck will start with a fuse link melted, so if your truck is starting then you're ok.

[Buddy]

OK as i said i was a dummy, went back today pulled every fuse and found one at the bottom that looked good but turned out to be bad. I think i need to get my eyes checked.....lol thanks for the help again guys. CHEERS