Help with 93 Electrical Problems

[sclappart]

I was troubleshooting a problem with my backup lights today (still not resolved, so any ideas here would be appreciated as well) and somehow seem to created a larger problem for myself. I'm a PC tech by trade with some electronics knowledge, so I rarely get myself in deeper trouble when checking out a problem but this seems to be one of the exceptions.

Here is all the information I can provide, any help would be appreciated.

As things stand now:

The speedometer and cruise control are not functioning, tach and everything else (other than the backup lights) work fine. When driving tonight, I was slowly losing battery power apparantly (lights dimming, batter gauge showing below normal, eventually it started missing, I barely got home) which was not a problem on my trip home last night, so I assume I broke, knocked a plug loose or somehow did something relating to the wiring.

What I did today before the new problems came up:

- Found one loose wire (2 prong female connector), about a 18 inches long that comes out of a harness reward of the air cleaner box, general condition makes it appear to have not been connected for some time, but I could definately be wrong, it does however have kinks in it that make it appear to have been routed downward then toward the engine.

- Removed the air cleaner box to get a better view of things while working in the engine area and trying to figure out where that plug went.

- Really just looked at all three fuse boxes checking for a fuse relating to the backup lights. Pulled and replaced a couple of fuses, they are all seated correctly, I've rechecked.

Ideas ? Clues ? Hints ?

[johnr]

Of course it's understood that you have checked your fuses. Quite often the backup light connector or switch itself go's. There very sensitive and due to (at times) getting hit by hoses etc they brake off or become loose. The switch itself can also be a problem wearing out and is located on top of the trans (driver side) looking down at the engine. 1st pull off the connector and check for 12 volts coming in..(Veh in reverse of course). If you jumper a small wire across the connector points your lights should come on...If not, you will have to remove the switch itself and check for contitnuity across the 2 switch connectors while pushing down on the small switch ball. If no contitnuity replace switch. PS, also I'm not sure but I think your Ign switch has to be to the on position.

[sclappart]

The major problems with charging were actually the ECU fuse, it had just blown in an odd manner (way off to one side) and was not really easily visible, The fuse actually looks normal on inspection, I had to check with a meter this morning to be sure.

Thanks for the tip on the backup light switch, thats really exactly what I needed to know.