Ford 5610 electrical issue!

[ggsvh]

This one is driving me a little crazy, When you turn on the headlights(fender mount) the fuel gauge and the temp gauges quit. Fuel goes to full and the temp gauge goes to hot, also if the 4wd switch is on, the light goes out there too! I am not the first owner of this tractor so it is quite possible not all is as it should be. Over the years there has been plenty of evidence of incorrect muddling around. If the lights are left off all behaves as it should. The correct switch and wires are in place on the switch. Any suggestions?

 

[davesl708]

I would suspect a ground wire issue. Several ground wires may be on the same post. If that is loose or corroded it can affect several systems at the same time.

 

[RickB]

Bad ground. Most likely right at the instrument cluster. Your backlighting bulbs are grounding through the fuel and coolant senders. Find a black wire and check the connections at the cluster and at the alternator.

 

[ggsvh]

Guys,
Thanks alot! I will let you know soon.

 

[ggsvh]

It was the cluster of several wires grounded below the battery tray! I was getting a good ground at the metal back of the instrument cluster until I turned on the key and it dropped to about 4 volts. Took awhile to figure out though. It seems that things like this are always at the last place you look.
Thank you for your replies!
Giles