Weird stuff happening........

[theogre5150]

I replaced my heater core today. During the process I noticed that my defroster cable was broken. I found someone that had one and I installed it after I replace my heater core. Got everything hooked back up and cranked her up. When I turned the heater on I noticed that it was much louder than before. Almost like it was blowing through a small crack instead of where it is supposed to come out at the floor. I also noticed that it was not blowing as much air as before. This is my first issue. Second thing was that I decided to replace the front drivers side blinker bulb. When I pulled the lens cover off I noticed that the bulb had just come out. I put the bulb back in and presto, my light works. What happened next is strange. I noticed that while I had the lights turned on, my left blinker on the dash stayed lit up constantly. I accidentally turned on my left blinker and when I did, goofy stuff started to happen. For starters, my blinkers never turn on when the key is not in the on position. I had no key in the ignition. While the blinker was on, not only did the blinker flash but also the lights on my tachometer flashed and the blower for the heater would cut on and off. What did I do?

[fordman]

take the bulb back out. and clean the socket. or replace it. was the heater core new when you put it in? if its used it could be plugged up not letting air get through it.

[Ranchero50]

Yeah, the electrical stuff is from the bulb not being installed correctly. It's backfeeding the rest of the system. The heat is just plain aggrevating and you'll have to make sure the cables are working correctly so the flap is in the correct position. PITA

Jamie

[basketcase0302]

Eric,

I agree with Jamie on the "damper" causing not much airflow from the heater.
Also check the cables coming from the heat/defrost control.
Were there any leaf type debris in the housing when you replaced the core?

Jeff

[theogre5150]

That's a big 10-4 on the leaves. I pulled all of them out while I had everything off. This is a new core by the way. I will check the bulb this morning.

[cdeal28078]

These old trucks have some strange things in the electrical system. I found out when I was about 15 years old and messing around with my truck dad just gave me that if I pull out the 4 ways, put on a turn signal that the radio will come on and off without the key on. If you mash the brakes it stops the 4 ways from flashing and the radio will stay on. Weird things happen with these old trucks.
clint

[seattle67]

When totally odd ball stuff like that happens, 9 times out of 10 it is a bad ground. When a ground connection is loose or dirty it creates resistance, electricity will follow the path of least resistance. So if the current hits a road block at its intended path, it will look for another path, and that can include going through other light bulbs, or a fan motor, etc.... It will look for any path to ground. It further complicates trouble shooting because the symptoms can be so intermittent and variable. One day it works, the other it doesn't. One day the headlights go on when you turn on the heater, the next day your dome light turns on when you hit your brakes. The symptoms can be altered by the last pot hole you bounced over, or the humidity in the air.

It's enough to make you crazy!!!

So, next time you meet an electrician and think he is one brick shy of a full load, remember that the poor sap has to deal with this stuff for a living!

[69rangerman]

Seattle67...Thanks for that explanation. Best one I've ever heard, and one my 3rd grade brain can make use of.

[theogre5150]

Sorry for not updating this. It was dark when I replaced the bulb. I went to my cabinet and pulled one out but what I failed to notice was the contacts on the bulb. It was the wrong bulb and it had the wrong contacts. I replaced with the right one and it works.

[Thunderfoot]

It's enough to make you crazy!!!
So, next time you meet an electrician and think he is one brick shy of a full load, remember that the poor sap has to deal with this stuff for a living!

That is me at work at times I have been lucky though, I can't use the excuse that I have been shocked to many times. safety first.

[nytreeman]

When totally odd ball stuff like that happens, 9 times out of 10 it is a bad ground.

Very true I have a 79 Bronco my right turn indicator would come on with my parking or headlights and when it flashed it would be slow or not at all but worked fine with the headlights off turned out the socket for the front signal was bad it was losing its ground and backfeeding through the parking light filament using it as its ground

[Banjo]

a floating ground is a very frustrating and hard to locate condition.