Hey I have an 86 base, and am having some wiring issues in which I can't seem to source the problem. My clock on the idiot lights intermittently shuts on and off, and when the clock turns off, I lose power to my cigarette lighter. I checked my grounds and fuses and everything looks good, so....wtf?

 

either loose connections or a cold solder problem

 

Which connections would you suggest I check first?

 

Check the FAQ. This is well covered.

 

I took the Idiot LIght cluster out. Then removed the cover off the cluster to reveal the solder connections where the electrical plug attaches. I reflowed the solder just at those joints. It works fine for the last four/five years.

 

Yea I figured that doing this would help my clock to remain illuminated, but it still doesn't take care of the main problem, which is losing power to my cigarette lighter when the power on the clock goes out...
Any other ideas?

 

Both the cigar lighter and the clock are fed from a 10amp fuse on the bottom row of the fuse box. It's the second fuse over from the left if looking into the fuse box.

Both circuits also share a plug called X-11 on a 86 model. That plug is.....way over to the right behind the dash. I'd suspect directly inline with the glove box. It has 21 pins in it. I have never ever seen this plug. I've never seen that plug myself.

There's something else that you might consider. That fuse gets fed by the ignition switch. So a disfunctional ignition switch could cause both the cigar lighter and the clock to go **** up. It's a real possibility. Try having the clock work. Then bump, jiggle the ignition switch. Not turn it, but just bump, jiggle it.