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1970 Cj5 Ignition Wiring Problem

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by John Phillips, Aug 10, 2019.

  1. Aug 10, 2019
    John Phillips

    John Phillips New Member

    Texas
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2019
    Messages:
    2
    Firstly, I'm not sure where the cutoff is for "early" or "intermediate" CJ's, so if this is in the wrong place, let me know.

    This Jeep has long been my very reliable hunting vehicle, until last season when a new problem cropped up. You'd be bouncing along a dirt road when all electrical that required the key to be on would cut out, including the engine. After some roadside fiddling, I found that wiggling the under dash wiring would revive it. I replaced the ignition switch, believing it to be the culprit, to no avail.

    Narrowing it down, there's something in the wiring loom that connects to my ignition switch that will kill all keyed electrics if it is moved, or bumped in a certain way.

    Here's a video I shot showing exactly what I'm talking about:



    Has anyone ever experienced this? Does anyone know where to start?

    Thank you for reading this.
     
    John Phillips, Aug 10, 2019
    #1
  2. Aug 10, 2019
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
    Messages:
    12,376
    You might have to remove the ignition switch from the dash and pull the wiring down to be able to see it better. Hard to tell anything from what I saw. Certainly some sort of bad or loose connection. Probably a simple fix.
     
    Glenn, Aug 10, 2019
    #2
  3. Aug 10, 2019
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    7,540
    There's probably a kink in a wire, your best bet is to trace it.

    You're lucky...At least you already found the 99% of the problem.
     
    Focker, Aug 10, 2019
    #3
  4. Aug 10, 2019
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
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    12,376
    Yep, could be a broken wire/bad splice?
     
    Glenn, Aug 10, 2019
    #4
    dozerjim likes this.
  5. Aug 11, 2019
    John Phillips

    John Phillips New Member

    Texas
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2019
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    2
    I was digging around under the dash and found that the circuit breaker on the headlight switch was sometimes making contact with the body, and probably grounding out.

    Do you think that could cause my issue, or is it just another incidental problem I happened to find?
     
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2019
    John Phillips, Aug 11, 2019
    #5
  6. Aug 11, 2019
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    Apr 28, 2011
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    yep pull ignition switch from dash . as glen said probably a bad connector
     
    Twin2, Aug 11, 2019
    #6
  7. Aug 11, 2019
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
    Messages:
    12,376
    I would think sparks would have shown in the video if that was the problem.
     
    Glenn, Aug 11, 2019
    #7
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