Hey all im finally up and runnning again on my 89 L98 GTA, rear swap was a success and now im driving her again. Now that she's alive I need to delve into the issues I am having. The electrical in the car has a mind of its own I swear, the gauge fuse takes a 20 instead of a 10 like it should and that even blows occasionally, all the gauges minus the speedo work, the speedo ive seen bounce like twice, the gas gauge is intermitant and im not sure if the other gauges are accurate. The radio wiring was hacked when i got it and i wired in a new deck myself but some of the wires were already mangled so I had to run the power wire into an accessory slot on the fuse block. The cluster fuse spot is missing, my horn doesn't work, the vanity mirror lights never have worked, tried replacing bulbs, the headlight motors do nothing when direct power is applied but that is obviously a call to replace them. So my question is how the hell do I get her running sound, where the F do I start? I just want my car electrical to be running a okay so I can move on to my sound system and my suspension and then of course my engine.

Any insight would be rad

Thanks

Chris

 

Things like this, you just take them one at a time. I'd start with throwing that 20A fuse out before you melt the whole harness and just have to buy another one. (Though, that may be easier in the long run, only time will tell.)

Most circuits (with GM anyways) are usually protected to ~25% over their continous rating. So for example, a circuit with a 10A fuse should see on average a continuous 7.5A current draw. This allows for startup spikes in the current without causing the fuse to open.

Had a coworker take one of my jobs one day, a mid-90s pickup with a fuse that would blow. He was a heavy engine guy so, not real smart on electrical. He took a 30A circuit breaker plugged it in where the 15A fuse went and let all the smoke out of the wires. Then he brought the truck to me and said, he couldn't find the short so I needed to. That sucked!! I ended up pulling the dash out of the truck and replacing the entire dash harness because of what he did. So be careful over rating a circuit. That one only led to smoke, but enough current could cause a fire.

 

You have to take one problem at a time. Fixing one problem will probably fix other problems because some things are powered or grounded on the same circuit. Wiring diagrams will be your best friend fixing your issues. Sometimes in the end, it will be just easier to replace the harnesses.

 

I have a Gta 1988 V8 5.7liter only 67 k original miles.I live in Jacksonville,Florida.I have been to six shops here.I will start with most recent replaced mass air flow sensor with k&n air filer for more air?Replaced fuel tank old one had holes/screws drilled in to the bottom to drain and started leaking(not done by me).Fuel pump after three shops told me needed to be replaced.I did not think so since I heard it turn on and humming(decided to just to have new one when I had the tank changed).Acquired two years ago,only drove Gta a total of 600 miles first year.The last 100 was when I realized the car had some issues.So I took to Busters Auto Repair Jacksonville Beach.Bad idea did not do anything drove car till was on Empty and said was just a radiator cap(have extra now).Took it there again said not the cap said fuel pump??? I had the brakes done and did oil change at another shop they didn't know how to do anything else???Next shop one found the gas tank to be leaking (told him it was) put on 2 replacement fuel filters.Then told me it was the pump.He wanted over 1,000 to do the gas tank and 300 for the pump so I said"no".Next shop did the spark plug wires wrong.As I drove car away on did 5mph stalling???I had another shop fix the order of the spark plug wires.Just been a nightmare and now I have still had an ongoing issue with the ignition not starting randomly.Do you know any shop in North Florida that has experience in electric work?Where do I began any help or any advice? Jonathon

 

 

thanks dudes! I'll be doing some testing, vanity mirror connection is hacked, the speedo did work before my diff got replaced, same gear ratio and everything..... The fuel gauge seems to be fine and if I ground metal between the spring and the tab behind the wheel the horn goes nuts..... I also just threw in a new turn signal lever wipers still dont work. As far as the other **** ill deal with it. Im thinking the best place to start would be to have the radiator fans and radio wired back to stock and then take it from there? the gauge fuse has been reduced to a 15 for the time being

Sucks having her as a daily drives me nuts but what can I do

Chris