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Where did 3 volts go

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Old February 12th, 2015, 03:37 PM
  #1  
HLS
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Where did 3 volts go

71 cutlass has a volt meter tied into Acc line along with the radio. It used to read 11.5 to 12 volts when in Acc. Now it only reads about 8.5 to 9 volts. Radio kind of still works. I measured voltage with a real meter and it is accurate so the problem is not with the volt gauge. I am really missing about 3v. I measure 11.5v at the ignition switch (in Acc mode) on the Acc line... which is a big brown wire. There is also a smaller brown with white tracer attach to same terminal. Ok.. so somewhere between those to points I am loosing 3v. I do not have a wiring diag. and wildaboutcars.com wants me to become a member for a few bucks just so I can see the service manuals. Not about to do that now. So does anyone know the path from that brown wire on the ignition switch to the yellow Acc. line under the dash. Got 11.5 on the brown wire... only got 8.5 on the yellow wire under the dash.
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Old February 12th, 2015, 04:28 PM
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Check the radio fuse in the fuse block. They can get pretty corroded but still look okay.

- Eric
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Old February 12th, 2015, 05:06 PM
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Yes, measure on both sides of the radio fuse. If the difference is your missing 3, then replace the fuse.
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Old February 12th, 2015, 05:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Lady72nRob71
Yes, measure on both sides of the radio fuse. If the difference is your missing 3, then replace the fuse.
It may not be the fuse itself, but the terminals on the fuse block can become corroded and create resistance. Clean them with some fine sandpaper till they are shiny. Should solve your problem.
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Old February 12th, 2015, 06:07 PM
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Be sure your radio has a good ground. take your volt meter and check between the radio case and ground. If you have 3 volts then you need a better ground.

Last edited by jensenracing77; February 12th, 2015 at 06:11 PM.
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Old February 12th, 2015, 06:07 PM
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HLS
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You guys are so smart... It was that fuse holder.
Thanks
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Old February 12th, 2015, 06:56 PM
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You're welcome. Glad to help out.

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Old February 13th, 2015, 07:29 PM
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Whew,I thought 3 of the electric cars had been stolen.
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