Wiring Question...

[IBDawgfan82]

I have a 1970 800A, and the PO installed an AM/FM radio in probably the early 80s (most people would probably think it was stock but I believe they only came with AM radios at the time).

Anyway, the radio hasn't worked for about 6 months and today I decided I would try to get to the bottom of why it wasn't working. I had the back of the glovebox out and my arm behind the dash and also looking at the wiring from under the dash on the driver's side, and I don't know if this particular wire was already loose or I somehow disconnected it, but there was a single red wire coming from the cigarette lighter that the end touched the metal behind the dash and sparked.

I just removed one of the cables from the battery post so there wouldn't be anything live until I could figure out what to do with the wire. My question is, does anyone know what that single wire would connect to? There is one red wire coming through the firewall into the cigarette lighter, and this one going out not connected at present. Could it go to the radio and that's why it hasn't been working? Pardon my ignorance, but I know nothing about wiring. I've looked at the wiring diagrams for late production 800s and see nothing with my uneducated eye concerning a radio or cigarette lighter. Any suggestions?

[scoutboy74]

Pretty tough without some way of identifying the wire either by circuit number or by determining at least what one end of it is connected to. Hard to say whether it is part of the factory harness or some add on.

[Thomas]

---Yep, you'll have to find the labeling on the wire cause the only thing I see on a diagram that's red, other than pigtails on lighting, is a heater switch wire. Though red would usually be a common color for radio hot wire, so would yellow... or orange. Too hard to tell, specially seeing as there's no color coding on any of my diagrams. What gauge would you think? Heater would most likely be 14g, radio would probably be 16g.

---Now, even though Chitlons would be sub par when it comes to quality of a manual, they would probably have color coding on their diagrams. Check your local library for a Trucks and Vans for that year. Would be something like 1964/1965-1971. 1972-1980 is the only one I've seen, but doesn't mean there wasn't one for pre-1972.

[IBDawgfan82]

Correction....I think I got so frustrated last night I couldn't even remember accurately what I saw. There is one single red wire coming through the firewall by itself. The black wire shown in the picture is spliced in going to the cigarette lighter. The end of the red wire on the metal is stamped "Vaco 18-14". I can't decide if it was just taped off with electrical tape or hooked in somewhere else. I can get some more pictures if it helps. Sorry for the poor quality, I had to take the picture with my cellphone.

[Jay Tabor]

all IH wires in those years were GREEN.
trace the wire, then youll know what its -to and- from and -for.

[IBDawgfan82]

Another picture...I traced it to this point last night, but I didn't know where to go from there, because like I said earlier I'm really new to this and don't know anything about wiring yet. As yo can see the red wire is in the top right of the picture. From there, two bundles go in separate directions, one to the Delco Regulator which is now unplugged since I recently installed an internally regulated alternator. Does this new info and pic help at all?

Trust me guys, I really wish I knew this and didn't have to ask. One of the reasons I was excited about buying my Scout not too long ago was it would give me an opportunity to learn since I knew so little about anything automotive. I've learned a lot in other areas so far, just obviously not in wiring.