I did clean the contacts, but the wires are really brittle feeling if that makes sense.

 

Yeah, that can happen. Solder and shrink tube!!!

 

x2

 

Can any of you guys tell me where the wire for the running lights fuse originates? Does it have it's own 12V source?

 

Fuse link J. E terminal on starter relay. Green.

 

Good morning and thanks Cruiser.

if I understand correctly, could my lack of 12V at the fuse box be due to a bad relay?

 

Most likely a burned fusible link at that starter relay.

 

I'm taking a look at that next. This would be one of the four relays next to the battery I assume?

(I asked a dumb question: if it were the relay itself, the starter wouldn't turn over).

Everything else is functioning properly. Just the running lights. Frustrating!

 

See if there are letters on the relay.
See how many green wires (fusible links) have power at the starter relay terminals with key off.

 

Thanks Cruiser,

Apparently at some point in this old girl's life, the factory starter relay was eliminated. I sat down with the wiring schematic last night to see how it's all set up, and I'm betting one of those wires on the battery has disconnected and that's the reason for no lights. It's too simple to be anything else.
I'm off today so time for a cup of java and dig into it.

 

Well the PO nightmare continues. I pulled the heater control panel since all the mounting points were broken. It also made it easier to access the wiring behind.

Apparently someone cut a hole through the dash and spliced the stereo into the cigarette lighter wires for power. Wtf? Not only that, but they just tried the wires together and wrapped it in tape. Wow.

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Well the PO nightmare continues. I pulled the heater control panel since all the mounting points were broken. It also made it easier to access the wiring behind.

Apparently someone cut a hole through the dash and spliced the stereo into the cigarette lighter wires for power. Wtf? Not only that, but they just tried the wires together and wrapped it in tape. Wow.

​​​​​

 

 

Thats how my Kenwood Stereo was wired in (and my PO had crossed some speaker wires)...folded over tape fails after a few years

Luckily I was able to download the stereo wire output and match with FSM plug

 

The investigation continues. When I was going through the engine compartment when I bought this I found this red wire not hooked up. Couldn't figure out what it was. I guess I now assume it's associated with the stereo mess.

I'm going to have to try and trace it to where it was cut.

It originates from this plug.