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Phil
Veteran
Date registered: Jun 2006
Location: Newton, Massachusetts
Vehicle(s): 1984 280GE
Posts: 218
| Annoying Gremlin
Good Day-
I spent a fair amount of time changing the right, rear taillight bucket, fixing related frayed wires and cleaning grounds. Once everything was put back together, I found that I consistently had all rear lights except both back-up lights. The backups work on a somewhat regular basis. If I put the truck in reverse, the lights come on eventually with a 20 second delay. Then will go out when driving and come back with the delay at the next start up. I also find some jumping in my fuel gauge when I apply the brake lights and put the truck in reverse.
My question is this: Can this be something other than a loose ground (I did not tinker w/anything past the rear axle)?
Thank you.
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: Annoying Gremlin
Phil - 6/27/2007 12:43 PM
Good Day-
I spent a fair amount of time changing the right, rear taillight bucket, fixing related frayed wires and cleaning grounds. Once everything was put back together, I found that I consistently had all rear lights except both back-up lights. The backups work on a somewhat regular basis. If I put the truck in reverse, the lights come on eventually with a 20 second delay. Then will go out when driving and come back with the delay at the next start up. I also find some jumping in my fuel gauge when I apply the brake lights and put the truck in reverse.
My question is this: Can this be something other than a loose ground (I did not tinker w/anything past the rear axle)?
Thank you.
Almost assuredly. Check the big cable grounds under the hood as well. There's also (I think) another fairly significant one in the left rear wheel well (or next to it), just in front of the bumper. |
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CaptnPete
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: Annoying Gremlin
Did the back-up lights work before you worked on the rear lights?
If yes, I would suspect a faulty common ground connection.
If no, I wouls supect a faulty back-up light switch at the transmission or thereabouts.
The jumpy fuel gauge also points to a faulty ground connection.
HTH |
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Tjærand
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Oct 2006
Location: Nøtterøy, Norway
Vehicle(s): 1996 G320
Posts: 403
| RE: Annoying Gremlin
Jumpy dials are always ground related. I'm hunting down a few in my G as well. The missus was very inquisitive about why I packed a soldering iron earlier today when packing for our vacation trip  |
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Phil
Veteran
Date registered: Jun 2006
Location: Newton, Massachusetts
Vehicle(s): 1984 280GE
Posts: 218
| RE: Annoying Gremlin
Good Friday to All,
To close this one out, here is what I found. After shoring up the rear ground and spending hours going back and forth and back and forth between all possible ground wire combinations, it turns out that the culprit was the switch pictured in the attachment. As you all probably know, this switch is located in the gearshift well on the console, and when the truck is put in reverse, a plate on the shift lever depresses the pin and causes the backups to come on.
After fiddling with the pin and determining that this was the problem, I popped out the switch and sprayed it w/silicon lube. This appears to have done the trick, but there is still a slight dimming issue. To be prudent, I ordered a new switch from my MBNA dealer ($27.95!!!!) and will keep it handy.
Thanks to you all for your posts.
Phil
PS-
Because it’s Friday, I also included a pic of my ornery little bastard, Rocky my second Jack.
 (Part2_edited.JPG)
 (Rocky_edited.jpg)
Attachments
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 Part2_edited.JPG (33KB - 1 downloads)
Rocky_edited.jpg (40KB - 1 downloads)
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CaptnPete
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: Annoying Gremlin
See line 3 of my post on 6/27/07. I wouldn't use silicone lube on switch. If you can't get a tech cleaner spray, get some carburetor cleaner spray from WalMart for under 2 dollars. Spray the switch and then work it and use a VOM to check the contacts. |
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Phil
Veteran
Date registered: Jun 2006
Location: Newton, Massachusetts
Vehicle(s): 1984 280GE
Posts: 218
| Re: Annoying Gremlin
CaptnPete - 7/6/2007 12:56 PM
I wouldn't use silicone lube on switch.
Why not?
If you can't get a tech cleaner spray, get some carburetor cleaner spray from WalMart for under 2 dollars.
Why? |
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CaptnPete
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: Annoying Gremlin
Never mind, just buy a switch |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Re: Annoying Gremlin
CaptnPete - 7/6/2007 5:07 PM
Never mind, just buy a switch
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