Where to start - 69 Bee

[IceBee]

I just got my 69 Bee and of course there are some electricals that needs to be sorted out. I've got no radio, dash or dome light. A fuel gauge with mood swings and a somewhat jumpy speedometer.

Since I've not worked on this car before, it would be good if someone would give me some hints and suggestions on how to work on the electrical issues. I presume the first thing is a wiring diagram and remove the dash and see what's dead and what is not?

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Definitely get a diagram. check for power and ground at the easy places to get to. Pick one thing that doesnt work, like the dome light, and start there. Dont go pulling the dash out until your diagnosis leads you there.

 

[hawkeye]

The dash/dome light problem is probably in the (dash) dimmer switch.

 

[Propwash]

Your speedometer is mechanical. It has nothing to do with electrical or the rest of your issues. Most likely, you just need to disconnect your speedo cable housing and grease the cable inside. If that don't cure it, replace the cable inside the housing. If that don't cut it, you have an issue with either the speedo assembly or down at the gear inside the tranny. As far as your electrical, like others mentioned, get a diagram (see below). Electrical work is like plumbing, you just need to follow the lines and you'll find the problem. Your fuel gauge issue could be anything from a bad ground strap at the fuel sending unit to the dash voltage limiter being on the fritz. Dome light and radio could be anything as simple as a blown fuse, bad door switch to a short in the system. Take a look a the wiring schematic below, get yourself a hot wire tester...test for power were the circuit begin's and till it ends. You will find your issue.

http://www.mymopar.com/downloads/1969/69CoronetA.JPG

http://www.mymopar.com/downloads/1969/69CoronetB.JPG

http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=109

 

[ma mopar nutz]

X2 on the mymopar site has a ton of great info !! Alot of your electrical issues come from bad spots in your harness itself !! Trace all wiring from front to back look for spots where the wires have been rubbing or makeing hard bends these are known bad spots for wire breaks !

 

[IceBee]

Thanx for the tips!

So you suggest I'll wait with pulling the dash out? The wiring seems a bit hard to reach without it.

 

[Propwash]

Thanx for the tips!

So you suggest I'll wait with pulling the dash out? The wiring seems a bit hard to reach without it.

I wouldn't pull it unless you really need to. Column needs to be dropped, windshield trim pulled and windshield removed to pull your dash. May even trash your window seal in the process costing you $100 or more.

 

[IceBee]

Ouch. Thanx for that heads-up..
Wish I was 2 feet smaller so I could reach underneath more smoothly..

 

[mopwrd340]

Take the seat out a lot easier to work on ,

 

[IceBee]

Take the seat out a lot easier to work on ,

Ah, good tip. Is it an easy mount/unmount?

 

[eagleone1983]

Yep, if it's a bench there are just four nuts under the car. x2 for buckets.

 

[IceBee]

Bucket. The nuts are underneath the car?

Sorry for the somewhat newbie question. I know cars. I don't know Coronets...

 

[Propwash]

Bucket. The nuts are underneath the car?

Sorry for the somewhat newbie question. I know cars. I don't know Coronets...

Yes, Studs come out from the seat track's, run through the floor, with nuts securing on the underside.

 

[eagleone1983]

Icebee, if they are rusted or the nuts are giving you a hard time DON'T FORCE IT, spray them down with rust penetrant until they give. You don't want to snap those studs.

 

[IceBee]

OK! Note taken