Instrument fuse blows WAS: Broken electrical component in dash

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LionDriver
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2020 2:45 pm

Instrument fuse blows WAS: Broken electrical component in dash

Post by LionDriver »

In the dash instrument wiring I found this broken electrical component (large resistor?) coming off a relay right behind the speedometer, white wire, which seem to all be ground. I cannot find another half of it, does it look familiar to you? Any ideas? My fuse for my instruments keeps blowing and I’m trying to find what the cause is. Anyone have 96 Serengeti dash wiring diagrams? I was working on this a year ago, but just got back to it now.
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Last edited by LionDriver on Sun Oct 04, 2020 8:21 am, edited 1 time in total.
96 Safari Serengeti 38’ Cat 3126
Tiger trax, safe-t plus, koni
Moonwink
Posts: 50
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2019 7:46 pm
Location: Near St Louis, MO

Re: Broken electrical component in dash

Post by Moonwink »

I have no idea where that connects but based on the silver band indicating 10% tolerance, I'd say it's the end of a resistor. Good luck looking for the other end. Wish I could help more.
Don Ford
2004 Safari Trek 31SBD (F53/V10 20,500GVW)
'15 Malibu 2LT or '97 Aerostar MiniVan (Remco driveshaft disconnect) for Towed vehicles
BlueOx Aventa II Towbar - ReadyBrake Inertia Brake System
astrnmrtom
Posts: 167
Joined: Thu Oct 31, 2019 8:49 pm

Re: Broken electrical component in dash

Post by astrnmrtom »

It's a diode, not a resistor. Silver band marks the Cathode (minus) end.

Not sure what the rating on it is, possibly 10 amps. When I was troubleshooting my speedometer I noticed one in the rats nest of wiring.

I looked under the dash to see if I could read the numbers but it's facing the wrong way. The other half of yours has to be there somewhere attached to another wire. You'll need to find the other wire anyway to replace the diode. Happy hunting.

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Tom and Pris Masterson, w/ Buddy the 18 year old Siamese cat.
1998 Serengeti 3706
300hp Cat 3126, Allison 3060
900 Watts of Solar
17cf, Fisher & Paykel residential Refrigerator
Dragging four telescopes around the US seeking dark skies.
astrnmrtom
Posts: 167
Joined: Thu Oct 31, 2019 8:49 pm

Re: Broken electrical component in dash

Post by astrnmrtom »

I was just thinking, the other missing half of that diode/wire could be pinched or shorting out somewhere which is what's causing you fuse to blow. Another possibility is the destroyed diode happened when power exceeding it's rating tried to go "backwards" against it causing it to blow apart - due to another problem in the circuit. The dead diode could be another symptom of whatever is causing your fuse to blow. Either way this is a clue that will hopefully lead to a diagnosis.
Tom and Pris Masterson, w/ Buddy the 18 year old Siamese cat.
1998 Serengeti 3706
300hp Cat 3126, Allison 3060
900 Watts of Solar
17cf, Fisher & Paykel residential Refrigerator
Dragging four telescopes around the US seeking dark skies.
LionDriver
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2020 2:45 pm

Re: Broken electrical component in dash

Post by LionDriver »

I still haven’t been able to find the other half of that diode and have searched all under the dash, but I have determined, by tracing the wires, this is in the brake buzzer circuit. The buzzer that rings when you press the brakes hard is not working anymore for me, and hasn’t for some time.

I’m still uncertain if this is related to my instrument fuse blowing, which randomly happens after driving for a few minutes.

I really want to figure this out, I feel it's dangerous to drive like this
96 Safari Serengeti 38’ Cat 3126
Tiger trax, safe-t plus, koni
LionDriver
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2020 2:45 pm

Re: Broken electrical component in dash

Post by LionDriver »

I finally found the other half of the diode. It was on another white wire on the far drivers side of dash. The diode seems to be a 6A05 type. That is a 6amp 50v Type. I will go ahead and order a new one and replace it.
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96 Safari Serengeti 38’ Cat 3126
Tiger trax, safe-t plus, koni
stuplich@ymail.com
Posts: 1146
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2019 8:51 am

Re: Broken electrical component in dash

Post by stuplich@ymail.com »

LionDriver wrote: Fri Sep 18, 2020 12:50 pm I finally found the other half of the diode. It was on another white wire on the far drivers side of dash. The diode seems to be a 6A05 type. That is a 6amp 50v Type. I will go ahead and order a new one and replace it.
Don Ford
I appreciate the update.
Thanks
Mel
'96 Sahara 3530, mine since '01
250 hp 3126 Cat, MD3060 Allison
LionDriver
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2020 2:45 pm

Re: Broken electrical component in dash

Post by LionDriver »

I replaced the broken diode. I haven’t found anything different though. The instrument Fuse still blows after driving for about 10 minutes and I lose all instruments. The warning buzzer does work correctly, so it may have fixed that.

I noticed the intake air heater light turned on a few seconds before the instrument fuse blew again what would trigger the intake air heater (or just the warning light) to turn on after the engine is running and driven for 10 minutes already?

I’m going to trace the wires for the intake air heater and see if I can find any bad connections in its path, this seems to be too time specific to just be a short somewhere, it’s more like some component that switches on after a set about of time causing an over current situation.
96 Safari Serengeti 38’ Cat 3126
Tiger trax, safe-t plus, koni
Norcalbruce
Posts: 19
Joined: Fri Jan 31, 2020 9:05 am
Location: Northern California
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Re: Broken electrical component in dash

Post by Norcalbruce »

LionDriver wrote: Fri Sep 18, 2020 12:50 pm I finally found the other half of the diode. It was on another white wire on the far drivers side of dash. The diode seems to be a 6A05 type. That is a 6amp 50v Type. I will go ahead and order a new one and replace it.

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LionDriver Thank you Thank you Thank you for your posts..
I was laying on my back under the dash on the drivers side and spotted this item (I hope the pic makes the trip)..
It is like something from outter space to me, I know it needs a replacement.
Looks like water damage corrosion (under the dash?) What is it and what does it do? I don't know.

Part of that question Lion Driver has answered I just need to change it out. Thank you LD and thank you to Safari Friends for have a great site.
Really, what does it really do, anyone?

Bruce, '96 Safari Serengeti '37', CAT 3126, Allison
Northern California.
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Bruce 'n Jenny
1996 Safari Serengeti Mid Door
Cat 3126, Allison
'Someday' is on the Road...

From The Ground Up Farms, 501C3
Chico California 95926

The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
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