Fender Stratocaster (SSS) Wiring Help / Troubleshooting

[JayhawkNavy02]

I think I may have caused a short by having two grounds (re-used Fender Trem and body cavity) but not sure. My electrical knowledge is low.
I wired in the new pickups VooDoo '60 from David Allen using the diagram below (or at least got close.

The first issue I have is that I’m seeing the volume knob only works on “10” - appears to be a no-load pot. Prior to installing the new pickups I decided (maybe unwisely) to try and recycle/reuse the old pots.....which were a little sketchy. I used some electrical contact cleaner to see if I could get them in fighting shape, so not sure if I was too aggressive on the volume and goofed it up.

The other issue I am having is that in position "2" (second position from bridge end) the tone knob doesn't work for the middle pickup (which I think it should) using the forward (middle) tone knob.

What was odd, is that when I removed the OEM (Fender) SCN pickups there were two ground wires, one to the body, as shown in the photo below on the right (top row) and to the tremolo (same photo). I left both connected to the volume pot (original), which I think may be acting like a short, but ready and likely to be soon corrected.

Sooooo......did I ruin the volume and/or tone pot(s) during soldering?
Should I remove the ground wire to the screw in the body?
Andy other mistakes and/or troubleshooting I can do?

Thank you to everyone and hopefully the photos are somewhat helpful.

 

[JayhawkNavy02]

 

[Robostyle]

I would recommend testing the circuit with a mulitimeter

 

[JayhawkNavy02]

What should I be testing and at what points?

 

[Robostyle]

There might be some videos online that could explain it better/easier than i can here.
Using a meter, you should be able to test the circuit from the pickup, through the switch, through the pots and finally to the jack.
Pickup should have a hot lead and a ground lead. I would start there, making a note of the resistance reading of that pickup.
Then you can test the circuit throughout the path, to see where you are losing the signal.
Electrical diagnosis is basically a process of elimination.
Power at pickup = good
No power at pickup = bad
Power at pot = good
Test the pot itself
Power leaving pot = good
No power leaving pot = bad
Power to switch = good
No power leaving switch = bad

You can see where i'm going with this? The pickup power flows through pots and switches and eventually reaches the jack. I'd test each connection from start to finish. That way you can identify the location where the problem lies. Multimeters are cheap, and if you're going to be wiring i would invest in one and learn how to use it.
Just my .02

 

[Music&Chaos]

A blender or no load is not going to work in a volume position for you, only tone unless you are wanting to blend pickups, which you are not.

I would guess you missed a jumper wire, which is why the time does not also work on middle pickup.

The extra grounding going to the body is normal on a strat and will not make your guitar lose sound or anything like that, it is for grounding purposes.

If signal cuts out, you have a hot hitting ground somewhere.

Review your wiring diagram closely.

That being said, if you feel none of the above applies and it is the pots - pots are cheap. You could grab a set of new ones from Atlantic Custom Guitars for a solid price. I like the 275k sets they have for like $25-$30 or something.

 

[JayhawkNavy02]

A blender or no load is not going to work in a volume position for you, only tone unless you are wanting to blend pickups, which you are not.

I would guess you missed a jumper wire, which is why the time does not also work on middle pickup.

The extra grounding going to the body is normal on a strat and will not make your guitar lose sound or anything like that, it is for grounding purposes.

If signal cuts out, you have a hot hitting ground somewhere.

Review your wiring diagram closely.

That being said, if you feel none of the above applies and it is the pots - pots are cheap. You could grab a set of new ones from Atlantic Custom Guitars for a solid price. I like the 275k sets they have for like $25-$30 or something.

I went very carefully across all the hot wires - one are grounded so I think it’s a pot. They’re original from 1997 and got a lot of abuse and I probably finished them off. I’ve got a new set on my desk to install now!

I have a standard volume pot as well to square that away so I’ll install tonight.

I couldn’t find a missing jumper based on the diagram so I think that should track - thank you again.