Having what I believe to be a bad ground issue(?) that I can't track down. Was wondering if anybody had a similar problem. Not really in a position to do a complete frame off disassemble chasing this down.
Drove to work last Friday, no problems. Had not done any work on the truck in a while.
Got in after work, turned on the headlights and ALL the exterior lights came on. Low beam, high beam, reverse lights - whether switch just pulled out to parking light position, fully on, and high beam selector - didn't matter. Also, both turn signal indicator lights in dash are lit up and buzzer is buzzing. Disconnected high beam relay ( heavy duty direct wire kit) to drive home. Also, driver side window wouldn't roll down. Relays were clicking but nothing was happening.
Got home, found that fuse for window motor blown only on the one side. Motor power direct wired to battery with heavy duty window kit. This doesn't share a ground with anything else, and I inspected the wires for breaks, cuts, etc. and no problems. Replaced fuse and it's been ok.
Trying to track problem, found that if I pull the T/L CTSY fuse the dash light/buzzer problem goes away, but unfortunately I have no tail lights. If I pull the 5amp INST LPS fuse, the problem pretty much goes away, I just don't have dash lights. I've been running it this way and everything is fine except dark instruments at night. I replaced the headlight switch with a new delco unit but, of course, that was not the problem.
I completely disconnected all non-factory circuits, but it made no difference. I checked and/or added new grounds wherever I could, but nothing seems to help. The most recent work was rear brake work that has me without a parking brake right now, but that was a couple weeks ago. Thought maybe the parking pedal going to the floor knocked something loose, but no. Also, appears the parking brake idiot light connector was long ago removed.
I have no idea what kind of power surge happened at work to blow the window fuse and make everything go crazy. Everything is find without the instrument fuse in. I know that bad grounds make juice flow to wherever a ground can be found, and I thought maybe enough was bleeding in or out of the INST LPS circuit to trigger the headlight relays through the switch and light up the turn signals.
Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
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