[DeTomaso] Techno question: where is this gremlin located?

[Charles Engles]

Dear Forum,

 

 

                 I need some electrical help.  I have just stumbled upon a
weird electrical gremlin.

 

                 I needed to futz with the shift linkage.   I got my
eighteen year old daughter to help with the shifter.   The  key is not in
the ignition.   I demonstrate to her how to step on the clutch and move the
shifter through the gears.   As I am doing this, I notice that the dash
lights seemed to come on.   My daughter confirmed that I wasn't seeing
things.   As she sat in the seat and I went to the back to watch the linkage
as she shifted she remarked and I could see through the window that the
lights were coming off and on with movement of the shifter!!     We finish
that task and I stoop over and proceed to manually move the shift linkage
from the ZF end.  I step away from the car and notice that now my brake
lights are on!     I jiggle and wiggle the shift linkage a bit and they go
off.   The reverse light did not come on.

 

 

                 Does anyone understand this weirdness?    Given my remedial
auto electrical knowledge, I think something is shorting out somewhere, but
where and how the devil is it related to the shift linkage??

 

 

                I hate electrical problems----and I still haven't got the
shift linkage problem squared away.  Sigh.   If it is not one darn
thing---it is another.

 

 

                              Warmest regards,  Chuck Engles