mreld3r

iTrader: (4)

Just purchased an 89 RS last weekend.
Last night I repaired the tilt-steering column (floppy syndrome).
Just got the engine running today and took it for a ride.
When I turn on the "right" blinker; the tach, volt, fuel gauges all go crazy.
The volt meter flashes (jumps up and down) at the same rate as the blinker!
It may have been this way before I got it; the PO did a LOT of crazy wiring stuff, trying to make it start. The problem was: broken wire going to the ignition key cylinder causing the VATS to malfunction.
VATS delete chip (thanks TunedPerformance) took care of that.
I am thinking that I might have done something wrong in the steering column because that is where the blinker wiring goes?? It may have been like that before me also, lotta crazy wire hacking from PO under the dash.
I am also having dash light problems,,,there is NONE dash lights.
I had NONE dash lights before I repaired the column.
I had NO problems with the column that would lead me to believe that I hooked something up wrong,,,,everything went perfect!
Anyone ever had something like this happen to them?
Next chance I get; I will remove the dash cluster and check things out.
Also; I will replace the headlight switch, because it is sloppy (dome light switch is non-existent, and dash light dimmer function, just don't seem right) I have no dash illumination lights AND no warning lights at all when I turn the key on. The warning lights should all illuminate to show they are working when I turn the key on and I have NONE.
Thanks for any help
mike
Edit::: I have headlights;brake lights, blinkers
But; NO exterior parking/running lights
Headlight switch is starting to sound like a good thing to change.

mreld3r

iTrader: (4)

Update:
I have located the light switch problems.
The headlight switch was completely melted and the switch fell apart in my hands. Now I will have to locate a new headlight switch connector; and then trouble shoot the rest of the problems. I think it is the hardest kind of problem to troubleshoot (multiple-problems). Step one:
repair what I "know" is wrong and then go to step two:
Troubleshoot the next problem.
Surely this (and a new headlight switch) will really make a big difference.

TxTtopZ

Good luck with all that. Electrical can be a pain, just be glad theres not a ton of modules.

PS - I would be willing to bet thats it because when I turn on my headlights every now and again, the right blinker illuminates and the oil pressure stops working (among other things). So I am willing to bet the headlight switch has a short to power or the lack of a good ground may be the issue. Do you have access to wiring diagrams?

mreld3r

iTrader: (4)

I think the blinker problem "may" be a pinched wire or something in the column;
from when I took it apart to fix the floppy thing. I think the melted switch caused the dash lights and parking lights to not function,,,who knows maybe the melted switch caused it "all". As soon as I replace the headlight switch and connector I will know.
It is over 100 degrees outside today (as im sure you know) and my switch is in the mail; so I will just stay inside and worry about the rest later. There is NO way i'm going outside today.
I am sure Austin is as hot as we are up in NorthEast Texas. I slept all day yesterday and worked on my car after midnight. Hell; it was still hot.

TxTtopZ

Yeah it's definitely hot. Especially in a garage with NO breeze. I have always been interested in making a home made (cheaper) port-o-cool for days like these.
Anyway, I am soon about to do the same work.. If you need wiring diagrams from All Data I can provide them Tuesday. Unfortunately GM has taken all the wiring diagrams out of GM's "SI" so no dealer help there.

Edit... Actually, sooner than that

xx138xx

I could be wrong but I think its a ground issue. I have kinda the same problem. if I turn on my blinker my volt gauge moves back and forth with the blinker. My oil pressure gauge will do the same or just drop to zero.

TxTtopZ

Turn Signals

TxTtopZ

Exactly, my right turn signal stays on sometimes (on the cluster) when I turn on my lights and the oil pressure gauge goes to zero as does the tach. This is possibly a cluster ribbon issue or simply a short in the headlamp switch wiring (possibly the instrument panel lighting) causing some diverted amperage... Like the OP says, when it cools down, I shall see.

TxTtopZ

Found it. Loose peanut bulb socket on the right blinker bulb indicator.
Test: Turn parking lights on. Turn right signal on. Wiggle peanut bulb (dash cover removed).
I am removing the cluster to repair as necessary.

mreld3r

iTrader: (4)

I replaced the cluster with a spare I had and the oil pressure gauge didn't even work.
So I tapped on it (high-tech; right?) and it started working.
So I brought my cluster indoors where I have a/c and am gonna clean the gauge cluster connectors really good.
BTW,,,check this out, kinda old, but still relevant.
This was posted here in 2004: by Trickster
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/atta...estion-tt3.gif

mreld3r

iTrader: (4)

by the way; while you have your cluster out, fix your tach (if it doesn't read correctly).
It is very easy to do. I have had 3 third gens and all of them needed the same repair.
Don't pay any attention to the year models in the thread header, it will work for older models also. Mine were '86 and '89 models.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...meter-fix.html

TxTtopZ

Good info. Connector views always help. Tach is working and functional now the turn signal isn't shorted.

NINÅ

mreld3r

iTrader: (4)

nina,,,wiring guru..
I have read your posts to others and you have helped me fix many problems; by reading your responses.
I have the new light switch; but, now am waiting on my connector (see picture above).
I will repair the dash illumination first and then clean the dash panel and go from there.
I am knee deep in installing a complete a/c system that the PO ripped out.
No a/c is bad news in Texas. I have only had the car for 3 weeks now, and have the majority of the common f-body problems repaired. I did grab a headlight switch at the pick-N-pull yard; but the harness was burned on it also. Not as bad as mine; but I don't wanna try to use it. Must be a common problem on 3rd-gens. I think the wire that goes to the headlights is the problem. I think I will wire my headlights direct via relay; and just use the headlight switch to operate the relay. I live in the wilderness and want to use the most powerful lights I can find. Lotta deer here; but not many people.
Thanks to everyone once again.
mike
BTW... the dark green wire on the headlight switch was not even connected; when I took the switch out. It was completely melted along with the harness and was just dangling precariously..I like that term....

xx138xx

Whats the deal with po's removing ac out of these cars. I bought my third gen the po removed the compressor, condenser, and accumulator. It would be one thing if we lived up north, but it was 106f yesterday. It takes more effort to remove an ac system than to fix it.

Ostrander

Before anybody says anything I know I'm resurrecting an old thread. I'm just wanting to know if he ever figured out what was wrong. I have the exact same problem.

mmadden55

headlight switch