Hello All,
I'm putting this thread here both to ask for advice/opinions and to update in case anyone else runs into this.
Issues:- Headlight Bulb Connector Broken - need to replace... source?
- Intermittent issue with Speedometer reading zero - when this occurs, VSC/Trac/ABS lighs are on... assuming this is a wiring issue with one of the wheels VSS
- When the Speedometer doesn't work, and the lights are on, the gas gauge fluctuates wildly
- Constant Parasitic draw on the battery... runs the battery to completely dead in a week from fully charged. Yes, brand new battery. Yes, I've tried multiple brand new batteries.
Ideas:- I am just not sure where to source the headlight connector - I assume any headlight connector of the appropriate bulb type will work?
- I think the Speedometer and Gas gauge issues are related, so I suspect its not actually at any wheel, but rather in some sort of bulk harness that runs from the rear of the vehicle. The most likely issue is that mice/squirrels/rabbits have chewed up some wiring, but ideas of where to look would be helpful.
- I don't suspect its the issue with the wiring under the intake manifold as others have reported - even when I am experiencing ALL of the electrical issues, the truck runs great and shifts into all gears as expected.
I'm open to any advice or assistance as to where to start looking. I need to do the draw diagnosis first as I suspect that will lead me in the right direction as to the shorting/grounding issues as well. My order of attack will be something like:
- Find and repair the draw issue
- Repair the headlight socket (this may be the draw issue... who knows)
- Look for Common grounds between the VSS system and the fuel level sensor
- Look for common pathways between the VSS system and the fuel level sensor
- Repair any shorted or chewed wires with a soldier, heat shrink, high grade tape approach in a last ditch sledgehammer attack on this.
I know my truck has quite a few miles (256,000!) and has some rust issues (mostly just the lower radiator support... Thanks, New England) but its my hunting/fishing/overlanding/towing rig and I still need her for a couple more years before I replace it.
I know you folks like pictures, so here she is... one dead 180lb deer, 256,000 hard miles towing heavy enough to require an electronic brake controller before I owned it, and lots of rough Maine roads, high way miles through mountain ranges, and light duty towing later (including a fun beach dune jumping trip right after I got the FJ Coils and 5100's installed at 190,000 miles.)