1968 charger exterior lights not working

[flathead1946]

One to the next problem. The only lights that work are the head lights on my restored 1968 Charger. Dash and switches completely rebuilt, Under dash harness restored, front end harness restored, tail light harness new. All lights (marker, Running) are new. I've checked the connections and all appear connected. I found a burned fuze, I replaced the fuze and it popped right away. It is the second fuze in from the drivers side. (that is looking up at the block from the bottom, fuzes facing the floor)  Old eys can't see what it says. I suspect a short to ground? Not grounded? Any ideas on where to start looking? thanks again

[nascarxx29]

If your popping fuses theres a wiring issue
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?p=1969765126

[Pete in NH]

Hi,

Good to hear a new alternator solved the charging issue. On the lights, those lighting circuits run all over the car and It does sound like a short circuit some where. It could be a simple as a wire crushed between some metal some where along the wiring harnesses. One way to find it would be to take out all the bulbs and then measure with a ohm meter or some type of continuity checker between the load side of the fuse holder clip to ground. If you have continuity or see 0 ohms you have a short. You would then disconnect wiring connectors in the lighting harness paths until the short is no longer indicated to narrow it down to a specific lighting circuit.

[flathead1946]

Time for an update on my electrical issue. I removed all the wire harnesses and gauges and checked for a pinched wire or short. Didn't find anything so I reinstalled the main harness first and then one at a time connected the other harnesses. First the rear and they worked no blown fuze. Dome, front light harness and again no blown fuze but lights (marker, Running lights) still didnt work. Checked for voltage and had voltage? So I pulled the side lights and found NO BULBS. Boy I feel like and idiot. So now the only ligh that doesnt work is the lower front valence light on the passenger side. The voltage is about 8 volts? Ground? might be a problem with the connector. Having said all this when I pugged in the steering column harness they was a spark and the fuze blew. Any ideas? It's an new rebult Mopar norms column? Thanks again for all the help.

[Pete in NH]

As you know connecting the steering column wiring and blowing a fuse is not a good sign. The problem may be in the steering column or plugging in the connector may only be completing a circuit to  a problem elsewhere. I would start by seeing if the problem is in the steering column. With the steering column connector unplugged, I would use the meter in the ohm meter position and attach one meter lead to a clean ground point on the steering column. I would then use the other meter lead and touch each pin on the steering column connector. If you see a zero ohm connection on any pin, I would then check the wiring diagram of the steering column to see if the pin should be a ground point or if it is a unintentional short circuit.

[nascarxx29]

   On 68 chargers the running lights dont stay on with the headlight switch on.But 69 chargers did.You still might have a wiring problem to chase down but for 68s this is the norm

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,10373.0.html