Bens3rdGen

Couple of problems.

1. When my car gets hot my speedo starts spiking. At the same time my volt-meter starts dipping. Since the problem is intermittent and can affected by braking or accelerating, I've come to the conclusion it's probably a loose ground. I was hoping someone could tell me where the ground cricuit for the guages or speedo runs.

2. My left blinker does not blink. The right one does. When I turn on the left blinker, the indicator and the lights turn on and stay on. All the lights are on, I recently replaced a couple bulbs hoping this was the problem but both fronts and the rear indicator turn on.
There is a sheath protecting a bundle of wires. It's located near the steering shaft, sits on top of the driver's side subframe. It is pretty close to my headers which are not coated. I was wondering if anyone has experienced burnt wires in this area. All the wires are tapped, not sure if this is normal. Thx

Firebat

iTrader: (7)

1. Doubt its a loose ground but could be a lose wire. I dont get how the speedo can affect the voltmeter and vice versa. How big are the spikes in the speedo and how much does the voltmeter drop?

2. Could be a few things. Turn your hazard lights on then off. I had my hazard light switch halfway on and it did weird things. You may have to replace the blinker, its located underneath the dash, drivers side. I think you can get them at a parts store.

Bens3rdGen

Okay, I think I got problem #2.

Problem 1: I was driving home the other day and my volt meter started falling and was down to about 9 volts. My car started dying (FP was cutting out). I stopped at my local parts store. They tested the battery and said it was taking a charge but with the car running there was no voltage coming from the alt. So I bought a new alt, installed it and tried to drive home. It was a short drive and my car died about a block from house. The volt meter never went above 9v.

My conclusion: I have an exhaust pipe that runs near the starter. I think when the exhaust gets real hot it screws up the starter. The car has a hard time starting whenever it's real hot. I think eventually the heat caused an internal short inside the starter that would eat any voltage the alt produced.

Solution: There are no GM part numbers for a starter for 3rd gen with a 5.7L and a stick. I think I tried a auto 5.7L starter and it didn't work, I ended up buying a 305 starter re-wound for high torque. I think they are junk though. This time I bought an LT1 starter, it's smaller, lighter and should have plenty of torque. My question is, do you think the exhaust is going to screw up the LT1 starter? I want to get a heat shield but they are $35 from GM for the universal one. I thought about a junk yard one but I not sure what vehicles I should look at. Ideas?

Firebat

iTrader: (7)

The LT1 starter should be fine. Try it first without a heat shield. I dont think my LT1 has a shield on its starter and everyone who swaps in an LT1 uses aftermarket 1 5/8 or bigger thirdgen headers.

If you still want a heat shield check out jegs.com, summitracing.com, or gmpartsdirect.com, or maybe a parts store. That just seems like a lot for a heat shield.

Bens3rdGen

Yea, I thought it was a lot too, but I figured it's just dealer mark up. I'll try one of those others. Thanks.