Ever since it's gotten colder, I have been wearing more layered clothing including various coats and sweaters. Well, that has led to additional static electricity and an occasional zap whenever I get in and out of the truck. Most of the time it has happened AFTER I start the truck, right when I first touch the column shifter to move it from Park to Reverse (to back out of my garage). I would feel a mild shock through my fingertips and I never thought anything of it until last night, when I shocked myself as usual but then realized that my Autolamp wasn't working. The headlights came on fine when I switched them on manually, but turning it to the Autolamp side does nothing. I flipped through the user manual to identify the Autolamp fuse number, and discovered that the Autolamp is on the same circuit as the Overdrive selector switch and the Beltminder. Sure enough, none of those items worked either. Checked the fuse box, blown 5A fuse. Replaced fuse, Beltminder gong/chime works again, but the Autolamp and Overdrive still don't work (the Overdrive mode cannot be selected, nor does the amber light on the column shifter handle illuminate). So what gives? I checked all of the other fuses with a tester and they are fine. Is there a relay I need to check? I assume that I short-circuited something when I zapped the column shifter (which took out the Overdrive switch and maybe the Autolamp downstream too?).

I'm still under warranty so I can get this diagnosed and repaired for free, but all of the dealerships are booking appointments for the first week of January and I'd rather fix it myself at home if it's going to be a 5-minute job replacing a $5 relay.

Any ideas or suggestions? Or should I just let the pros handle it?

 

what kind of shoes are you wearing?

i had a school trip a few years back in college and i forgot to bring some black dress shoes and a buddy lent me his, but he warned me they'll cause me to be shocked all day every day whenever i touched a door........and sure enough, by the end of the week i was traumatized like the episode of the Simpson's with Bart and that damn cupcake by the end of the week...

 

Haha, I haven't made a correlation between the static shock and my shoes yet. I think it happens with a couple different ones, but maybe I should start a log.

 

Sound like a bad ground somewhwere. Have you ever seen peoples cars with those straps that hang down touching the ground usually from the rear bumper? I believe thats to eliminate problems like yours, but im sure if you find the problem you wont be needing them. Id check all your grounds first for good connections.

 

Man, ask anybody that knows me around town.. I am the largest source of static energy in NE LA. lol!

I seriously shoot lightning bolts at anything metal that I pass by.
I'll have to get someone to take pics.

If I move around on the couch too much while playing the Xbox, I'll shock it thru the controller & make the screen turn sideways. LMAO

Everybody watches me as I walk by because I'll pop them on the ear if they don't pay attention.



But back to the question at hand, I think it's just coincidental that that stuff stopped working.. Troubleshoot some more man!
Hope you figure it out soon!