• Steel Soldiers now has a few new forums, read more about it at: New Munitions Forums!

  • Microsoft MSN, Live, Hotmail, Outlook email users may not be receiving emails. We are working to resolve this issue. Please add support@steelsoldiers.com to your trusted contacts.

Here's a funny electrical gremlin on my new HEMTT!

dma251

Member
648
15
18
Location
Arlington, Washington
I discovered this yesterday while messing with the light switch and scared the bejesus out of myself! When I switch the main headlight switch all the way on - the engine starts! Whether the key is switched on or not. I'm thinking someone accidentally got a wire crossed when they wired in the ignition switch. I realize this is generally a fairly easy to diagnose problem, but I was wondering if maybe one of you guys has a quick answer to what it might be.
 

Rattlehead

Member
645
3
18
Location
Michigan
It's probably due to the black wire hooked up to the wrong circuit :lol:

Seriously, I don't have any ideas other than what you are suspecting.
 

Jones

Well-known member
2,237
83
48
Location
Sacramento, California
Uhhh, NOT the way it should be. The underdash wiring is a basket of snakes and you might have a couple of wires that have the insulation rubbed off of them in just the wrong spot. I have the wiring diagrams for the HEMTTs and LVSs. PM me and I'll see if I can help.
 

dma251

Member
648
15
18
Location
Arlington, Washington
cranetruck said:
dma251 said:
... When I switch the main headlight switch all the way on - the engine starts! Whether the key is switched on or not.....
"all the way on" ?? Which truck? What key?

Yes, whether the key is turned on or off, in the ignition or not, if I turn the light switch to headlamps on, the truck engine fires up. I can't tell if it's holding the starter on or not, since I shut it down as soon as it does it.

Yes, I realize it didn't come from Oshkosh with a keyed ignition switch. That was obviously added on by one of the previous owners, which is probably my problem right there. I figure someone probably has inadvertantly wired the two systems together.

(It's my M977 HEMTT, by the way)
 

alphadeltaromeo

Active member
1,901
3
38
Location
Alto, GA
dma251 said:
cranetruck said:
dma251 said:
... When I switch the main headlight switch all the way on - the engine starts! Whether the key is switched on or not.....
"all the way on" ?? Which truck? What key?
(It's my M977 HEMTT, by the way)
I think you have a defective M977. It's probably best if you drive it to GA and I'll take it off your hands to avoid any further issues you may have with it...
 

dma251

Member
648
15
18
Location
Arlington, Washington
RE: Re: Here

I believe I found the problem. Disconnected cab ground strap. When I was reinstalling the air horn under the cab I found the cab to chassis ground was disconnected. After hooking it back up I tried out the headlight switch - no start! Just the way it's supposed to.

After that I had to take it for a spin around my neighborhood just for fun. I have about 20 tall speed bumps in my neighborhood - this truck takes those speedbumps so easy you don't even feel them. Huge difference from my 5-ton, HUGE.
 
Top
AdBlock Detected

We get it, advertisements are annoying!

Sure, ad-blocking software does a great job at blocking ads, but it also blocks useful features of our website like our supporting vendors. Their ads help keep Steel Soldiers going. Please consider disabling your ad blockers for the site. Thanks!

I've Disabled AdBlock
No Thanks