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  • March 28, 2024, 10:11:08 AM

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Author Topic: Clock only works when headlight switch is ON (heads or park lights). WTF  (Read 3501 times)

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Offline 86Woodgrain

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So the fancy digital quartz clock works but it only works when the headlights or park lights are on. It always restarts at 12:00 at that point too.

Does anyone have a clue as to why that would be? Is the clock somehow wired wrong?? I don't notice any other electrical gremlins with the dash.

Offline atmafox

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Happens on mine as well.  Seems like it's not getting constant 12V, only dash illumination.  Haven't gotten to dig into this part yet but suspect there's something loose or disconnected back there.
Mine:
- 1980 AMC Eagle 2dr Sedan
- 2009 BMW 335i xDrive Coupe

Ours:
- 1986 Toyota Pickup

Hers:
- 1988 Toyota Supra Turbo
- 1988 Toyota Celica All-Trac
- 1997 Toyota RAV4 2dr 4x4

His:
- 1985 Nissan 720 Pickup Deluxe King Cab 4x4

Offline Freeagle

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Sounds like somebody crossed the wires for the clock power and the clock illumination.
1984 Eagle Limited Wagon

Offline AMC of Houston

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The clock circuit is weird on the '79-up AMC's.  The main clock feed is via the 10A clock/dome light fuse.  However, the main feed when the lights are on is via the tail light circuit (its not just a dimmer circuit triggered by the lights).  So, if your dome lights are also not working, check that fuse.

Note there was an AMC TSB issued back then due to rampant misdiagnosis and too many good clocks being replaced under warranty, when the issue was just a popped fuse!
George G.
'81 Eagle Sundancer
'85 Eagle Waggie
1960 1902 Rambler Replica
'64 American
'70 AMX (Big Bad Blue), '70 AMX (White)
'77 Gremlin
'78 Pacer Coupe, '78 Pacer Wagon
'79 Pacer Wagon
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Offline 86Woodgrain

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My dome light works.

Offline 86Woodgrain

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Re: Clock only works when headlight switch is ON (heads or park lights). WTF
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2022, 04:39:38 PM »
FYI just an update in case anyone experiences the same issue.

I fixed mine by replacing it with the one from my parts car. I didn't need to change any wiring or anything, I just swapped it and it works like it should. So the clock itself was defective internally somehow.

 

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