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Feb 16 09 1:12 PM

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So my little Ruby has been a joy to drive since I got her. She gets awesome MPG, I got the door fixed finally, and then engine isn't giving that silly stalling fordaspire/icon_bs.gif anymore!

HOWEVER, I do know for a fact that there are a lot of electrical problems... that I have no idea how to fix. fordaspire/iamwithstupid.gif Basically, A lot of my dashboard panel lights dont illuminate when the car is in th ON postion, or dont warn me of possible problems. For example, To get the BELTS light to illuminate and chime, I have to shake my seatbelt part that has the red release button on it. Doing so illuminates the light and the chime goes on. fordaspire/icon_lol.gif

Also in the ON position, the CHECK ENGINE light does not illuminate, nor does my AIRBAG light and/or ABS light. All the others do though, such as my CHARGE (battery) light, OIL PRESSURE, REAR DEFOG (when turned on), and the PARKING BRAKE.

To make matter's worse, my smoke lighter port-thingy doesnt heat up the lighter. (I DO NOT SMOKE) however, I would like to be able to play my iPod someday using iTrip. But without any power from that smoke lighter thingy, I can't use it

Finally, the worst part about the whole problem is my interior roof light. When I bought my Ruby, the PO's told us that the light doesn't work, and they think it's simply a wiring issue. I thought maybe it was just a blown bulb, but we troubleshooted that idea and no luck.

I'recently downloaded my 1994 Ford Aspire user manual, and I showed me how to check my fuses, which I did. All of them are intact, and so my best conclusion is simply wiring problems.

If anyone can give me some good tips on how to troubleshoot the electrical systems, It would be greatly appreciated. It really is a drag to always have to make CD's and try to find the ignition keyhole in pitch-black.

Thanks a lot!

-Dev
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bill190

Very Advanced Member

Posts: 247

#1 [url]

Feb 16 09 8:59 PM

It can take years to learn how to troubleshoot electrical wiring!

You may be able to "cheat" by getting a factory service manual set which includes the wiring diagrams. These are pretty basic with step by step procedures to troubleshoot mostly everything on a vehicle.

You do need to learn basic electricity and how to use a multimeter though.

For seatbelt, replace seat belt part.

For dash lights not working, remove dash and replace burned out light bulbs.

For cigarette lighter, buy a new one and see if that works. Check fuse. Beyond that, factory service manual and multimeter to trace wiring problems.

Dome light, need multimeter and factory service wiring diagrams. (I assume fuse is OK, bulb is OK, and switch on light is in correct position.)

The factory service manual wiring diagram book (different from service manual) shows locations of wiring, connectors, and wire colors at various locations. So you can pull a connector at a certain location and test at that point.

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getnpsi

Very Advanced Member

Posts: 213

#2 [url]

Feb 16 09 8:59 PM

You can move the cig lighter wire to another wire on your fuse panel. my lighter doesn't work either. I'm lazy. I dont know if our car's lighter is hot with key or hot all the time. I would do the latter so toys/phone can charge when you're away.

my dome light flickers a lot. mine i know is a crappy passenger door switch, because i can select it to ON. However it does flicker when i select between the three modes, so its a matter of time before it fails. Take it out and look for corrosion.

if your car is pre 96 the previous owner may have removed bulbs to scoot by an inspection test. to pull your cluster out is a 10 minute job...5 mins finding the tools. If you have small hands and tough skin you can probably cut another minute off. Once the cluster is out you can also do some probing with a multimeter.

Currently no Festivas or Aspires in my posession.
2006 Ranger 3.0 Sport White
1989 Merkur XR4ti Red
2004 Dodge SRT-4 Black

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8144442

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Posts: 1,739

#4 [url]

Feb 17 09 11:27 PM

i can provide a direct electrical diagram to wire your cig lighter and i can also give info on how to rebuild that line twice so you can run more than one component off the battery.

I had to rebuild my cig lighter array to install my tacho, then i rebuilt the line twice to support my LCD+xbox. let me know if you're interested.

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bluesneaky

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Posts: 490

#5 [url]

Feb 18 09 4:57 PM

If you get around to taking the lighter out or are in that area of the car, fix the lightetr with a jumper wire so the internal fuse wont blow if you pull a heavy load off the lighter. (I occasionaly ran more than 10 amps and instead of the fuse in the pannel blowing the fuse in the base of the lighter blew) I have used it since with near 15 amps for rather prolonged times and it didnt melt anything down.

(Ive been known to be a bit of a 12v accessory nut from time to time....)

Ziggy 1 --- '95 white 2dr, 5sp, a/c added, 252k, 43 top mpg (still got 'em)
No Name --- '95 teal 2 dr, 5sp, 98K, bad clutch, sold it b4 I named it
Ziggy 2 --- '95 white 2dr, 5sp, a/c 147k split rear seat, 49.3 top mpg (deceased, mortally injured in towing accident 2008)
Kermit --- '95 teal 2dr, 5sp, a/c 103k, upgraded interior package - the daily driver now
(Had 2 1988 Festivias in the '90's. Over 200k on them too)

All pulled "Trapper" the '89 kamparoo camper on the back roads I should'a been drivin' my jeep on (4x4 aspire??)

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