Jump to content

521 IGN light not working


fredges

Recommended Posts

(*UPDATE: Resolved! Woohoo! See below)

 

So, I'm going to post this in hopes that it helps people who might have this specific problem. I plan on posting a lot of "oics" becasue that's just the right thing to do. I'll try to keep it to this one specific topic, too. 

 

The IGN light in the instrument cluster has never worked in my '69 521 since I've owned it. The charging system apears to be working, however.

 

The light just never comes on, at all, running or not. 

 

I pulled out the cluster, checked/tested the bulb, cleaned the contacts, but no go. So I'll pull it out again and use a test light to see if I'm getting anything to the socket. Should be easy to check I think. 

 

My fear is that I won't be able to figure it out, and I'll be headed under the hood towards ... Alternatorland and Regulatorville. Aaaaaaaa!

 

So, here's a start:

Removed the two screws on bottom to take off the bezel. One tab is missing, but it stays in place just fine.

w2Fi7g1.jpg?1

 

Here's my thumb on the plug thingy that must be disconnected from the back of the guage cluster to pull it out. and my pointer finger is showing where the speedo cable is. Love that I only had to disconnect these two things to get the cluster out! Cool.

cXHgnsn.jpg?1

 

A better shot of the multi-plug thing (WTF is this things called??) 

pSZpXGf.jpg?1

 

A shot of the opening... nothing really to see here. This is what it looks like with no cluster in the dash. Recognize anything?

UbzWK5s.jpg?1

 

And here's the back of my instrument cluster:

R6asx0X.jpg?1

 

...stay tuned for more adventures...

 

**Stealing this image from another thread for reference:

Pinout.jpg

(Thanks to DanielC for this image)

 

Made an illustration, for myself...

Mke6fx2.png?1

Working on illustrations... will update as I figure things out...

TdesWnl.png

 

Adding more photos to this...

the back of the multi-pin plug thing: 

Qqj6EwJ.jpg?1

Another angle to see all the wires...

nDorRzy.jpg?1

  • Like 1
Link to comment
  • Replies 47
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Get a 12 volt battery, or run wires from the trucks battery.  Apply 12 volts positive to the pin marked "Ign Power In".

Run a wire from "IGN (ALT) Light" to battery negative. 

the IGN light should come on.

 

It is not stealing.  I posted that image so people could use it.  Thanks for adding my name, but it was not necessary

  • Like 1
Link to comment

Ah! That makes sense, thanks! Will do. I've got a little "wall wart" 12v power supply I use to test my stereo gear, will that suffice? It's got red and black alligator clips on the end, so it's super handy. If it will not harm anything, I'd like to use that. 

*Also: it has a fuse, just in case.

  • Like 1
Link to comment

Interesting. That does not appear to be the stock alternator

 

Usually a Black ground ... check

A White/Red stripe output to the battery... looks like it might be the one on the insulated post

 

And two other wires (Yellow and a White/Black) going to a T shaped plastic plug.

  • Like 1
Link to comment

AHA! Got it!!

The culprit:

JNZpuHq.jpg

 

I traced #2 wire (White w/ red stripe) under the dash to the corner to the right of the glove box. There's a plastic connector there, and I noticed the White/red stripe wire is sticking out further than the other wires.

 

hooked up a test light to in, and turn the key... HALLELUJAH! It works!! IGN light comes on!  :w00t:

VnYLzRW.jpg

 

It was just a loose wire. 

 

I noticed that the extremely tiny locking tab had been folded backwards on the copper spade thing on the wire, so I folded it back, and it slid right in and locked. Can't believe how lucky I was to find and fix this. Feeling' pretty awesome. :thumbup:

  • Like 1
Link to comment

Interesting. That does not appear to be the stock alternator

 

Usually a Black ground ... check

A White/Red stripe output to the battery... looks like it might be the one on the insulated post

 

And two other wires (Yellow and a White/Black) going to a T shaped plastic plug.

Yeah, the alternator has a Mitsubishi logo on it...? At some point, I'll trace all the wires and learn what's doing what there... Probably take me until next summer, but hey.

  • Like 1
Link to comment

So, I'll try to drive it around tonight or tomorrow to see if it's permanently fixed, but it seems I need to rev it to almost 2k before the light goes out. Maybe that will change when it's warmed up, but makes me wonder if I'm getting optimal charging. We'll see....

  • Like 1
Link to comment

Ah... you don't say in your profile but that looks like a J13 so if you do have an L521 it has to be a '69. Anything earlier has to be a 520. Yes the J13s used a Mitsubishi alternator and why it looks normal yet unfamiliar to me. The L16s used Hitachi.

  • Like 1
Link to comment

Sorry, yes, 1969 J13. Updated my profile just now, thanks! I'm guessing it's safe to assume finding another alternator like that one is going to be a total bitch, huh? Whenever somebody says "Nice truck.", the next thing out of their mouth is, "Good luck finding parts!"....

 

*Also, Jesus H., datzenmike, you know. your. shit. :o  

  • Like 1
Link to comment

I had a PL521 for about 8 years. A PL521 is an L16 powered truck. An L521 is a J13 powered truck, only made for one year in '69. Anything earlier was an L520, again J13 powered. The rest is writing stuff down but mostly remembering some small thing and then knowing where it look it up to check it. 

 

If you have any problems there are guys on here that have probably converted an L521 over to a higher output internally regulated alternator. The PL521 was something like 33 amp. The J13 won't be any higher and maybe even lower. A 50 amp will give better wipers, headlights and heater fan when idling. Trouble is there isn't much room for them.

  • Like 1
Link to comment

I wanted to add, the mitsubishi alt is probably stock. Datsun, and many Nissans in Later years, ran either Mitsubishi or Hitachi electronics. It's important to know which one your truck has if you need to replace any of it as a lot of them aren't compatable with eachother.

 

To be honest, I never figured out why they went back and fourth. I always guessed it had to do with which factory they were made in or something like that.

  • Like 1
Link to comment

Regarding the fuse box diagram, above.  Nice diagram, by the way.

A wire comes directly from the battery positive to  #9.  There is a thick white wire that connects to #10, this wire supplies power to the ignition switch.  

A black wire, with a white stripe is switched ignition power, it goes to #7, or #8.

Another black with a white stripe wire goes on #8, or #7 and takes switched ignition power to the ballast resistor.  

 

As far as brand of alternators, it is probably a decision based on what is the more economical of the two brands to use, at that time.  Think about it.  If a Hitachi alternator is three yen cheaper than a Mitsubishi alternator, and you make 100,000 L-521 trucks, Datsun is 300,000 Yen ahead

Link to comment

I see. So...

 

#7 :

Black/white stripe - switched ignition power

Black/white stripe - takes switched ignition power to the ballast resistor

 

#8 :

Black/white stripe - takes switched ignition power to the ballast resistor

 

#9 : 

Thick black - from battery positive

 

#10 : 

Thick white - Power to the ignition switch

 

Yeah?

  • Like 1
Link to comment

"I see. So...

#7 :

Black/white stripe - switched ignition power

Black/white stripe - takes switched ignition power to the ballast resistor

#8 :

Black/white stripe - takes switched ignition power to the ballast resistor

#9 : 

Thick black - from battery positive

#10 : 

Thick white - Power to the ignition switch

Yeah?"

 

Yes, that should work, based on my 1969 PL521 (L-16)

On the bottom of the fusebox, 9, and 10 are connected, and also feed one more fuse.  7, and 8 are connected, and feed one more fuse.

Link to comment

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.