Low accessory Voltage

[rjtoles]

I was installing a Cruise King cruse control today. In the wiring process you have to pick up 12v off the ignition switch. The logical and easiest place to pick it up would be the fuse bar behind the drivers front end access panel. On the center set of breakers they are not energized until the ignitions switch is turned on. With the ignition on, I put a voltage meter across the bar i only read around 9v. When I go the fuse bar to the immediate left I get a full 12V. Does anyone know why I would have such a voltage differential. Is there some other place that you know if that I might be able to pick up 12v off the ignition in the same area.

[Butch Charpentier]

Start at the bar and work back towards the battery until you find a solid twelve volts, than what ever is in front of it either, a connection or a switch ( ie the ignition switch ) is faulty, lose or corroded. Then you can replace, clean or tighten until remedied.

[Bill Pape]

good tip from Butch,

There is a problem , find it first, need 12 volts, could be the ignition switch, or a ground

[gcyeaw]

I had similar issues. The wire from the ignition switch was burned at the switch from carrying too much current. Adding the cruise to directly the ignition switch circuit will increase the already overloaded wire. First determine if the wire is OK, and then use a Bosh relay triggered by the ingintion switch line to supply power to the Cruise.

That said, I think the breakers you are looking at are powered through a large relay triggered by the ignition switch. There are some breakers directly powered form the ingintion switch (way back above and behind the two rows of breakers you see when the headlight door is opened). That circuit also engages the large relay that powers the ignition switched group breakers up front. The relay is in the area behind the headlight pannel as well. Just have someone turn the ignition on and off and feel for the one that activates. Or follow the power lead from the power strip back if you can.

I replaced the ignition switch wire on mine and then inserted a Bosch relay to carry switch the load.

[Mike Hohnstein]

Relays needed: headlights, blower motors for heater and AC and you need to replace that ign. switch with a new one that has screw type connections. Them push ons will leave you on the side of the road one day.

[rjtoles]

I figured the only expanation could be there is to much load on that ignition circuit. Using a relay makes more sense. you think the enginers would have thought of that one. Is the ignition switch hard to change?

[Rick]

Is yours in the shifter tower? If so should not be too difficult.

How did the install go?

[Mike Hohnstein]

Originally Posted by rjtoles

I figured the only expanation could be there is to much load on that ignition circuit. Using a relay makes more sense. you think the enginers would have thought of that one. Is the ignition switch hard to change?

Yeah, they had 'practitioners' wiring them old 'birds. Switch is easy @ home, not so much on the road.

[rjtoles]

rick the switch is in the shift tower. the install went well after I got over my brain freeze. I was looking for the brake light wire and i was sure i ws on it but when I depressed the pedal no voltage so It was driving me a little crazy until I realized there was no air in the tank to activate the switch. So after I aired up the bird Bingo there was 12v. so now all the wiring is done. But alas no cruise movement. not sure what to do next. I will call them tomorrow, I have all the wires connected correctly and double checked. Not sure where to go from here.I'll have to ask the guy at king. Other than that spent the last two days tightening belts fixing aid leaks and general preparations for the trip Tuesday. I have a question...have you ever worked with the treadle (sp) valve much? I had a huge aid leak in it. there is a small aspirator device, round shaped directly n the bottom of the valve, that vents air when you step on the pedal. There was air leaking all around that circular device where is connects to the bottom of the treadle valve. I reached in and turned it a little in a clockwise direction and it seemed to quit leaking. Is that some sort of screw on item? Looking for info on it to educate myself. Any help would be appreciated. may start a thread that asks about if and see what the collective thinks.

Ron

[Rick]

Start the thread. I don't know.