93 Bronco having some electrical issues

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jasindude1

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So i just picked up a 93 Bronco from a work friend. It runs and drives and is actually quite nice, but has a few small electrical issues i was wanting to know if someone could help me figure out what could be wrong. 
 
1- Battery has a slow drain, after about 5 days parked the battery needs to be recharged is this normal?
 
2- Instrument cluster kinda work but doesnt light up. The Tachometer on the gauge is the only part that lights up, the rest of the gauge is dark. I have already checked all fuses, can I replace the lights or will i need to replace the cluster?
 
3- Left blinker indicator light stays solid when the headlights are on, left blinker does work, but stays solid. The Right blinker indicator light doesn't come on at all, blinker still work but no indicator light. 
 
4- Door lock/unlock does not work on either door, I have checked fuses already what is my next step?
 
Anything that you can help me with would be great, besides these small issues the truck runs GREAT! Thank you for your help =)
 

miesk5

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Yo jasindude1,

Welcome!

Have battery tested for free at local parts store. Need to remove battery for a load test.

Some suspects:

Battery drain.

Open or high resistance in wiring.

Damaged regulator.

Alternator.

Inspect the battery cables for loose or corroded connections.

Check for loose battery posts.

Check for broken/cracked case or battery cover.

CHECK DRIVE BELT TENSION

Next tests to be done at store or shop;

Perform the battery capacity test

CHECK FOR KEY-OFF DRAIN

Measure voltage at B+ terminal on the back of the alt.

Measure voltage at test point A on the voltage regulator.

Measure voltage at test point F on the voltage regulator

Measure voltage at wiring harness I terminal, Circuit 904 (LG/R).

NOTE: Voltage regulator must be connected to wiring harness for this test.

Measure voltage drop between test point A on the voltage regulator and the positive (+) battery post. ETC.

...

Battery Drain; "...Disconnect the positive clamp on your battery but take care not to touch the body metal with the wrench when doing this. Now connect an small light between the + terminal and the clamp. Put the clamp on a rag so it can't touch the sheet metal. If any drain is present the light will glow. Or you can check the amount of drain with an small ammeter. An drain of 1-2 Watts can be tolerated. Next pull the fuse for the mechanic clock and the radio. Still any current flowing (light on)? Ok, so you really have a problem. Now start pulling the fuses in the fuse box one by one until the light goes off. This is the circuit in which the problem lies. Check your manual or the indications in the cover of the fuse box to see which systems are connected to that fuse. The next steps depend on the systems concerned. Try disconnecting each one of the parts connected in the circuit. Again it's the same - when the light goes out you've found the problem. Even better than a light bulb is an buzzer. Many people have one of those annoying little rascals lying around. Use it..."by Alan

Some components that could be draining it are underhood lamp, glove box lamp, decective brake light switch....

Voltage; "...a normal battery that is fully charged produces 12.6 volts, not just 12.0 V. (Remember, when measuring battery voltage, everything in the car should be off, or the battery should be disconnected. Voltage measurements are always "no load" measurements unless the battery is being tested for it's performance under load)..."

Source: by Gordon

..

Cluster gauge bulbs and warning indicator bulbs can be replaced,

Cluster Removal in in 92-96 @ http://www.supermotors.net/registry/media/760981

cluster92.jpg bupb locations for 92 - 93

I believe all bulbs are #194

92-96 (& '97 over 8500GVWR) Instrument Cluster Parts

92-93 clusters are interchangeable (non-airbag); '

All the bulbs are #194.

The PSOM, lens, blackout ring, terminal clips, shifter plates, bulbs & holders are interchangeable between 92-96 (& '97 >8500GVWR) cases.

Will address other issues Sunday. Best is to limit questions to one per post.

 

miesk5

96 Bronco 5.0
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Yo,

Just lost my blow hard, long reply when my pos tablet refreshed the screen. Here is some of it, a little bit at a time;

3- Left blinker indicator light stays solid when the headlights are on,

left blinker does work, but stays solid. The Right blinker indicator light doesn't come on at all, blinker still work but no indicator light.

...

Check the dash indicator light bulbs when you change cluster bulbs.

Change flasher.

Symptom Chart, Turn Signal Lamps/Hazard Flasher Lamps with pin- point tests @ http://www.diesel-dave.com/vehic/manual/stj/stjh1027.htm

Same for 93.

...

4- Door lock/unlock does not work on either door, I have checked fuses already what is my next step?

Do you hear the locks actuators clicking when locking or unlocking?

Check circuit breaker #12 in cabs fuse panel.

Power Door Lock Diagnosis in a 96, same for 93;

NOTE: Use Rotunda 73 Digital Multimeter 105-R0051 or equivalent to perform electrical pinpoint tests @

http://www.diesel-dave.com/vehic/manual/stj/stj1ea05.htm

Electrical Schematics @ http://www.diesel-dave.com/vehic/manual/stj/stj1ea03.htm

 
OP
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jasindude1

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Nice!! Super informative! I found out I had a faulty voltage regulator, replaced the alternator. My battery shows between 12.4-12.6 volts when the vehicle is dead. I let it sit and recheck it and it's still the same after over night, but today I drove to the store and had a dead battery when I went to leave, jump started it and it's been fine all day, battery maybe? Idk if it is a battery drain or a low voltage battery, keep in mind the voltage regulator was faulty and was over charging the battery.

 
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jasindude1

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I fixed the blinker and cluster issue it was a short in the plug, I cleaned the connections and it's been good ever since

 

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