Problems with new wiring harness

[ksierens]

I replaced the wiring harnesses (from Year One) while restoring my 70 Challenger, and finally got around to buying a battery yesterday.  After connecting it (no smoke, yea!) some thing work and some don't, more importantly, it keeps blowing the lower left 20a fuse, so I am sure there is a dead short somewhere. I know I will need to use a light connected to the fuse location and start disconnecting things, but I was just wondering if anyone else had a similar problem to know where to start.

Here is what works: Head lamps (and bright indicator on dash), rear brake lights, parking brake indicator on dash, key in buzzer, radio (thought very quiet), wiper motor, reverse tail lamp, reverse light on dash, motor cranks (not ready to start it yet), emergency flashers on dash, turn signals on dash.

Here is what doesn't: Heater fan, parking lights, dash lights, dome light, door ajar light, ash tray light, glove box light, map light, fasten seat belt light, tail lights

[dodj]

You have to start disconnecting things. The most problematic in my experience on your list is the harness that goes to the rear. Disconnect it at the driver's kick panel and then replace the fuse. See how it goes.
Then if that is not the problem, reconnect and disconnect the next connector like the heater switch and so on.
Having replaced everything it could be anywhere really. Even the harness itself is a suspect until proven out.

[ksierens]

Found the problem, the insulator in one of the tail lamp sockets was broke, and the two wires were touching. Only problems left are the radio is very quiet, and the wiper motor won't park. I had the wiper motor restored, and was told everything was working fine on the bench. Could it be a bad switch?

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[Cuda Cody]

Tell us more about the wiper motor.  2 speed or 3 speed?  Correct year for your car?  Correct linkage?  Who did the restoration?

[ksierens]

Cody, 1970 Rally dash, variable speed. It was restored by a local guy who has been doing them for years. I found information online to jumper it to see if it will park, so I will try that soon.

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[shawge]

   2x check that the switch panel is grounded.

[ksierens]

Thanks everyone, the grounds were all good, there was power to the blue lead when the key was on, the problem ended up being the contact under the cover had a little of the red sealer on it, and it was not making a connection.  After cleaning it, they work like they should!

[ksierens]

Still need the radio looked at, works but is very quiet. Anyone have any ideas on this one?  I also contacted M&H about the tail light sockets, checked the rest and all of the insulators are broken.

[ksierens]

Ok, I think I might know the problem. It is in the garage, and I forgot these cars don't get good reception. Can someone else confirm this?

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[ksierens]

Sigh, nope.  Push the car outside today, still the same.  Guess I will be sending it in for service at some point.

[JS29]

You could send it to one of toughs places that convert an AM radio to digital AM-FM.    

[Bullitt-]

Still need the radio looked at, works but is very quiet. Anyone have any ideas on this one?

  Could be a bad speaker.... connect a known good speaker of  ~8 ohms & see what ya get, make sure the polarity is correct

[dodj]

Still need the radio looked at, works but is very quiet. Anyone have any ideas on this one?

  Could be a bad speaker.... connect a known good speaker of  ~8 ohms & see what ya get, make sure the polarity is correct

4 ohms I think would be better.

[Bullitt-]

Still need the radio looked at, works but is very quiet. Anyone have any ideas on this one?

  Could be a bad speaker.... connect a known good speaker of  ~8 ohms & see what ya get, make sure the polarity is correct

4 ohms I think would be better.

Not on OE radios... lower ohm speakers are fine with modern electronics but will damage the older stuff (although I doubt it would hurt to use a 4ohm for a short test)
      reference http://www.turnswitch.com/speakers.htm

[dodj]

Hmmmm. Thanks Bullitt. Learned something new today.