electrical problem: shift bezel light 12v on ground

actually no back light on fog light switch

 

That only applies to the instrument cluster.

 

Ahh. ok.
I remembered someone having an issue with the dimmer once.
The problem was it was NOT plugged in, and he couldn't get lights to dim.

 

will check now

 

at full brightness voltage drops to unreadable on test light(so 6v or less) . at full dim its 12v

 

But still always 12v at the shifter bulb?

 

I want to know what it is too, with the dimmer UNPLUGGED.
Something weird is going on here......

 

Dimmer seems to be working correctly, only 2 things it can be is some wiring shenanigans by the PO or green crusties in the J3 connector.

 

i havent played with dimmer and check to see if that changes anything on that ground yet but i will. and i also havent been to observant. the steering pod controls are not illuminated either and i remember driving earlier and turning the wheel and hearing something in the column. could s\w controls be shorting out sending 12v to j3?

 

many connectors on this vehicle unfortunately have green crusties on them. im also working out door locks and jbl system..along with some engine codes.. but one thing at a time lol

 

That would blow the Rheostat and no backlights would work aside from the instrument cluster because all the backlight grounds are tied together at J3.

You said the truck was submerged so wouldn't be far fetched to suspect green crusties in the J3 connector.

 

ok will check tomorrow and update.

 

I missed the part where the truck was submerged.
Sounds like a nightmare to me. I feel for you OP.
I wouldn't want to take on a project like this...
These problems tend to linger and reappear for years.

 

Yea getting water in connectors leads to green crusties which can cause the craziest electrical issues. Interior connectors and modules aren't sealed because they aren't "supposed" to be getting wet.

 

yeah honestly i probably wouldnt have gotten this thing if i knew the extent of issues but whatever. hopefully i can get it to at least decent shape. also i got impatient and checked j3 and it looks good.

 

Can you check the wire at J3 (Pin 8) and see if it has the same 12v as you have at the shifter bulb? I wouldn't think it would but doesn't hurt to check.

 

i am considering disconnecting each thing that goes to j3 one at a time till the 12v drops? any thoughts?

 

yeah i can check.

 

pins 4 and 5 have power

 

4 is illumination Ground for the Hazzard Switch and 5 is the illumination Ground for the A/C Control head, are those working?