2nd gen electrical issues

Hi everyone. I need help.

Here's the story:

Part 1:I decided my incadesent bulbs in my dash were not bright enough so I ordered some LED replacements. I installed the left side of the cluster first, tested them, and tested the dome lights too (not upgraded). They worked, so in installed the right side. When I finished I tested them and had nothing. No dome lights, no dash lights. Headlights worked.

Part 2: Started up the van, no lights except for headlights. Turned off the van, but it kept running. In order to shut the van off I had to pull the wire from the distributor (350 w/electronic ignition) Replaced ignition switch. Started van, turned van to off, van kept runing.
Realized I had no parking lights or brake lights.

Part 3: Took van to my friends shop. Diagnosed my new alternator was still providing power. Replaced alternator with new 1 wire alternator. Started van, turned van to off. Van shut off. Ignition problem solved.
Diagnosed a problem with the power wire (?) to the brake switch. Ran new wire from the switch to the fuse block. He tested a dozen times, brake lights worked.
Drove home. Tested brake lights when I got home, no brake lights. Mechanic friend is not happy!!

Part 4: Removed all LED bulbs and put back incandescent bulbs. Mechanic suggested headlight switch could be bad and that might fix dash /dome/ parking and taillight issues. Replaced headlight switch. No change.

Fuses look good. Fuse block has overspray so I'm not sure what fuses go to what. Would like to replace them all....

Voltage regulator?
Anyone else ever seen this?

Signed: Frustrated in Omaha.

,,,for a start,,,,,go down to the brake light switch,,,,,,,,unhook the 2 wires on it,,,,,see if the fuse box is sending power to one of the wires,,,,,,,the other one goes back up to the turn signal switch where it decides when and if to turn on the brake lights,,,,,,,

Do you have power at that Tail/Stop/Dome fuse,,,,,,,is the fuse blown?

Thank you!!!

Don has such a wonderful collection of info on these Vans with great photo's also.
He is the "Van Man".

Thanks to those pictures I was able to see what does what in my fusebox. I decided to buy new fuses and start going through them, and viola, everything works! I even put the LED bulbs in for the dash lights and the turn signal lights and everything works fine now. Brake lights work again too!
As a bonus, I was able to replace the missing fuse for my fan, and that's the first time I've ever heard it run!!

Thank you Donnivan for the diagrams. You really helped me out!

I kinda like these auxiliary fuse boxes to replace a worn out one or to add STUFF to the system,,,,,,,,

donivan65 wrote:I kinda like these auxiliary fuse boxes to replace a worn out one or to add STUFF to the system,,,,,,,,

I need one of those! I'm no electrical expert, but where do you find one of these? Easy to install?
I have stuff I want to add!!

places like Ebay have them,,,,,,,,our poor vans never were made for extra electrical equipment,,,,,and 50 years later the electrical systems are in sad shape,,,,,,especially all the connectors,,,,,but basically the feed wire that provides the whole van with juice starts off at the starter solenoid where it hooks up to the positive battery cable,,,,,there is a fusible link there which will melt and break  if any wire shorts out and not catch the van on fire,,,,,,(1st Genners BETTER put one on theirs),,,,then the juice, which is a 12 gauge red wire goes to the ignition and headlight   switch and fuse block,,,,,the alternator also hooks into this wire,,,,so you can add  2 circuits of fuse blocks,,,,,fuses that are on all the time or fuses that only come on when the key is on,,,,,,I myself get rid of that small worn out 12 gauge wire and its connectors and use a larger 10 gauge wire so the van has more power, which we call amps, to use,,,,,,but basically running a new wire to the positive battery cable on the starter solenoid will power up any extra fuse block and all the stuff you hook up to it,,,,,,,and put a 16 gauge fusible link at that 12 gauge/new wire where it connects to the positive battery cable,,,,,if you got more questions, just ask,,,,,,because if I am anything,,,,,I am an automotive electrician,,,,,,,

Rule of thumb is always disconnect the power (battery) before working on the electrical system. This way you don't accidentally blow a fuse.

,,,,Now the Ford guys have a tough time trying to add their STUFF to their fuse block which sits on their headlight switch,,,,,,

Definitely NOT one of Ford's better ideas...