ShogunKC
New member
- Joined
- May 20, 2018
- Messages
- 16
- Location
- Olathe, Kansas, USA
- Tractor
- Kubota L3540, Caterpillar 289C Compact Track Loader
I noticed last night that the head lights weren't working and found the fuse blown. I replaced it and it immediately blew, so I figured there was a short somewhere.
Today I removed the console covers so I could get access to all the connectors and switches in the dash. I disconnected all the battery ground, lights, switches, and instrument panel and started to check for a short with my multi-meter looking for continuity at each of the connectors. I noticed that I would get a short to ground at the head lights whenever I turned the head light switch on (after connecting the switch). But, when I checked the connector, no shorts in the head light wiring. I briefly put in a 30 amp fuse and the head lamps would work but I noticed that the wiring going into the turn signal switch were getting warm. That gave me a place to start looking next.
I found that a Green/Red wire going into the multi-function combination lever (the head light & turn signal switch) was shorted to ground. I double checked to make sure I didn't have lights connected that would give me a continuity reading, and there were no lights connected. Looking at the wiring diagram, this wire also goes to the Hazard Switch, the instrument panel, and the rear combination lamps. I looked at all the wiring harnesses and wires that I could visibly see and couldn't see any worn wiring or anything that would indicate a short to ground.
On a whim, I disconnected the Green/Red wire from the light/turn signal switch and tried the head lights and found that I no longer blow fuses. But, it seems that I have lost the rear red tail lights and I'm guessing the headlight indicator on the instrument panel.
I guess that it's possible there's a short in a wiring harness somewhere, but still somewhat hard to believe after looking at them. They're bundled tight, wrapped in tape, and then protected by a plastic sleeve. If there is a short, I can't imagine how to figure out where it might be without pulling the entire harness apart and looking from end to end. But I also eliminated the rear combination lamps since I had them disconnected, so by process of elimination it must be in the wire harness somewhere?
Just curious if there might be an easy way to figure out where this short might be. I don't ever drive the tractor on the road, so having rear tail lights isn't really that big of a deal, at least for now. This is bugging me more than anything else. Actually, I feel that the work lights give much better lighting than the head lights anyway because of the loader.
I read a few threads about shorts and fuses - the one that looked the best had a bunch of talk about resistance readings, so it seems that's where I might have to go next? Just hoping for a few suggestions on how to narrow down the location of the short.
Thanks!
Today I removed the console covers so I could get access to all the connectors and switches in the dash. I disconnected all the battery ground, lights, switches, and instrument panel and started to check for a short with my multi-meter looking for continuity at each of the connectors. I noticed that I would get a short to ground at the head lights whenever I turned the head light switch on (after connecting the switch). But, when I checked the connector, no shorts in the head light wiring. I briefly put in a 30 amp fuse and the head lamps would work but I noticed that the wiring going into the turn signal switch were getting warm. That gave me a place to start looking next.
I found that a Green/Red wire going into the multi-function combination lever (the head light & turn signal switch) was shorted to ground. I double checked to make sure I didn't have lights connected that would give me a continuity reading, and there were no lights connected. Looking at the wiring diagram, this wire also goes to the Hazard Switch, the instrument panel, and the rear combination lamps. I looked at all the wiring harnesses and wires that I could visibly see and couldn't see any worn wiring or anything that would indicate a short to ground.
On a whim, I disconnected the Green/Red wire from the light/turn signal switch and tried the head lights and found that I no longer blow fuses. But, it seems that I have lost the rear red tail lights and I'm guessing the headlight indicator on the instrument panel.
I guess that it's possible there's a short in a wiring harness somewhere, but still somewhat hard to believe after looking at them. They're bundled tight, wrapped in tape, and then protected by a plastic sleeve. If there is a short, I can't imagine how to figure out where it might be without pulling the entire harness apart and looking from end to end. But I also eliminated the rear combination lamps since I had them disconnected, so by process of elimination it must be in the wire harness somewhere?
Just curious if there might be an easy way to figure out where this short might be. I don't ever drive the tractor on the road, so having rear tail lights isn't really that big of a deal, at least for now. This is bugging me more than anything else. Actually, I feel that the work lights give much better lighting than the head lights anyway because of the loader.
I read a few threads about shorts and fuses - the one that looked the best had a bunch of talk about resistance readings, so it seems that's where I might have to go next? Just hoping for a few suggestions on how to narrow down the location of the short.
Thanks!
