Dash Light Conundrum

[Charger21]

Hoping someone on here can help point me in the right direction. I have a 1973 Charger with a Ralleye Dash Cluster. At some point the dash lights stopped working. Not sure when they stopped.

I have collected the following information:

The fuse box cavity #5 (coincidentally a 5 amp fuse) burns out immediately when the headlight pull switch goes from off to the parking lights.

All headlights, tails, brake, dome, and side markers work with the headlight switch as expected. No other fuse burns out.

The left turn signals quit working when the headlights are on and the right side turn signals work, but are faint and blink slow when the headlights are on.

When headlights are off, all turn signals work as expected (no fuse replacement required to get the turn signals back, just turn off the headlights).

I am thinking that there is a short and it is likely somewhere after the fuse box with one of the areas powered by the #5 cavity which include:

gear selector lamp-column, radio lamp, inst cluster lamps (also in cavity 4) gear sel lamp console, asy tray lamp, heater anda/c control lamp

But I have never traced a short before. Any recommendations on where to start and any tools that may help?

Thanks!

 

[Demonic]

I'd start w the console light, most likely to have a pinched wire. Some of those - if the bulb is not installed, the hot wire can fall forward, and then short out. Usually the interior illumination circuit is orange wires.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

There is a short on orange wire system ( dimmer controled ) somewhere

About the turning lights failure with headlights on... check the radiator core support ground where the forward lighting harness attaches

 

[Charger21]

Thanks guys. I will check it soon. It is amazing the support you get on this site!

 

[Charger21]

Nacho-RT74 For the turning lights, is this the ground wire that you are referring to?

Thanks!

 

[Nacho-RT74]

Actually it should be this bolt at radiator core support at a side of the batt. On the inside face of the radiator core support.



Can't tell what's that ground wire you are pointing out. Not stock for sure.