electrical problem, Where did my volts go? Options

[JimN73]

I have 12 volts at fuse #7, but only 6 at the rear trunk light and the license plate lights (they're all really dim).

The wiring harness looks old but OK, but I haven't taken a really close look.

What could cause that and where can I look?

Thanks for your help.

[mr914]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Corrosion

I personally would start at the fuse holder. Pull the fuse, clean both the holder and the end of the fuse with a wire brush and apply some dielectric grease on both sides.

I'd also use the multimeter to check from ground to both sides of the fuse.

If that's OK, recheck your volts at the light, if you have 12v your good to go.

After that, I would check the back side of the fuse. Disconnect battery and indo the two Phillips screws and lower the panel and inspect. If it's crappy, you may want to go thru the connections one at a time, clean and apply dielectric grease to each of the connectors. In fact, that may be the best way to avoid some electrical gremlins in the future.

You never know what a previous owner stashed above the fuse panel. Early 80's I found a bag and a pipe up there (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)