What the h*ll did I do to my electrical system?

[zachzchw 5,000+ posts]

Took a deck out yesterday, to replace it. Ended up not putting the different deck in, so my wiring harness was just hanging in the dash. Before I got the power wires taped off, they bumped, couple of little sparks, blew my radio fuse. No big deal, right? Apparently thats not the case. That night, my gauge lights around the speedometer and fuel gauge and stuff dont work.

So, I look and that fuse is blown. I replace it, it blows again and again. I take out the radio fuse, thinking that has to tie into the problem, its the source of what started it all. Now the gauge lights sort of work. I have a dimmer that you can adjust the level of brightness with, but it doesnt adjust- just on or off. Also, a couple other things dont work now- rear wiper and overhead digital display. The car is a 97 Bravada, about the same as a Blazer/Jimmy.

Anyone have any thoughts on what I may have done, or how to fix the problem?

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[stones 10+ year member]

I would talk to a mechanic about that one, it sounds like you have messed up some important factory stuff inside the dash.

Second thought, there maybe a factory relay that controls the power to those accessorys that was damaged when you shorted the stereo harness. Fortunately relays are cheap to replace.

 

[davidfre21 5,000+ posts]

that sucks man, and on a better not... i found my head light fuse //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[zachzchw 5,000+ posts]

I would talk to a mechanic about that one, it sounds like you have messed up some important factory stuff inside the dash.
Second thought, there maybe a factory relay that controls the power to those accessorys that was damaged when you shorted the stereo harness. Fortunately relays are cheap to replace.

How would I find that out?

Wouldnt a fuse that controls those things have blown?

Im really not very car savvy, these are probably stupid questions, but thanks for the help anyway, I appreciate it.

 

[zachzchw 5,000+ posts]

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/blush.gif.99bc659ee2012b7d826165e26fb5eebe.gif//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/blush.gif.99bc659ee2012b7d826165e26fb5eebe.gif//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/blush.gif.99bc659ee2012b7d826165e26fb5eebe.gif

Well, I read the owners manual.......Turns out the same fuse that controls the radio (which is pulled) controls the rear wiper and overhead display.

Should I still be on the lookout for signs of trouble, or you guys think Ill be alright?

By the way, anyone have a car with one of those overhead display things? It shows the average speed, fuel economy, temperature,total fuel used, etc. Mine hasnt kept memory for like six months......If I reset it while Im driving, it takes accurate measurements, but when I turn the car off, it always resets itself back to the previous settings of like 42.4 average speed, and 176 gallons of fuel used. Thought on that?

 

[gnet158 10+ year member]

That really sucks, I thought I messed up my electric system a few weeks ago. I almost shit a brick, not to point the finger but did you disconnect the battery? I know it's a pain in the @$$ to reset the time, presets, and other setting but that would have saved you alot of worry. Hope everything works out.

 

[lotas 10+ year member]

when you were replacing the fuse, was the car on? or was there any power? if you try to replace a blown fuse while the car is on or the acc. the fuse is for is on then the fuse will just continue to blow. you might want to unplug the - battery wire, then replace the fuse, then see how everything works. I dont really see how you couldve damaged a relay, as a relay needs a +12v wire, which *should* be fused, maybe you need to find that fuse.