4wd drive light always dimly lit

[scummins]

Hi Guys, I noticed that my four wheel drive light is always on but dimly lit. The 4wd drive actuator and switch are fully functional. I have provided the wiring diagram in the following link. The 4wd is switched on the ground side of the circuit. I have power after the switch but loose it before the abs sensor switch and at the 4wd light connection to the dash. i believe that i have a leaking ground, broken wire, or bad connection either before or at joint connector no. 3. does anyone know where this is located? Thanks. http://articles.mopar1973man.com/images/2ndgen24v/antilock-brake-system/4w-abs-2.jpg

[scummins]

I just noticed today on my way to work that when you use the power window control the 4wd light gets brighter. Any ideas?

[Mopar1973Man]

I'm going to gamble a guess that there is a a bad ground wire for that circuit somewhere under the dash. As other circuits are used typically weird things like this occur where circuits either come to life or die from bad grounds.

[scummins]

yea i had the same thought...unfortunately. Ground issues are a bear to trace out!

[MoparDave68]

Probably the quickest and easiest ways I can think of is to disconnect the ground from the socket and run a new ground wire to a known good ground source. If that remedies your issue then you know your ground is bad. Or it will tell you it's not a ground issue and you need to start chasing the feed wire.

[kingairc90c]

Im sure you probably already checked this but my light did a similar thing and it was the bulb in the dash. Just a thought because I spent days chasing wires looking for a break or a ground fault and it was just the bulb. Good luck!

[Mopar1973Man]

That's the thing its not the actual 4WD circuit its another circuit most likely that shares that same ground. Try checking the ABS computer and the G100 ground (left fender).

[joecool911]

Yep, dim lights almost always are a function of a bad ground. Lots of experience with trailer lights. Can effect other lights too if on the similar circuits.

[MnTom]

Isn't there a bundle of ground wires under the kick panel behind the parking brake?

[Mopar1973Man]

Isn't there a bundle of ground wires under the kick panel behind the parking brake?

Yes. There is also another bundle of grounds in the center of the dash also linked to that same ground.

[rancherman]

wrapping my head around this... a poor ground is causing the indicator driver to not fully snap ON or OFF.. but is buzzing somewhere in the middle? Then, possibly a 'new' ground, via electric window circuit is causing his light to lite?

[Mopar1973Man]

Kind of like pull out a head light fuse for the left bulb there is no power to that bulb but if you turn on the headlights then the bulb glows dim because power is given from the headlight back through the ground circuit.

[scummins]

so in doing a little investigating i think that i found g100 and it appears to be a solid ground. i hooked up the light tester to the positive terminal of the battery and probed at the 4wd drive switch (both leads good), i then probed after the first connection (both leads good), and finally i probed the ground connection g100 and that also seemed to be good. but when i probed the wire at the abs control module and the wire behind the dash, i have no ground so i must loose it somewhere between the switch and then abs and instrument cluster but i cant seem to trace it back to that connection.