Good afternoon,

I just bought a ‘84 Berlinetta, and I am starting to dive into the electrical issues. My first issue is having to do with the left tune signal. Whenever I use it, the headlights turn on and the turn indicator is solid in the interior, however but both signal lights, front and rear both work, but the front light is dim.

Then with the signal still on, I’ll turn off the headlights and the interior indicator flashes like normal.

My second issue is the HVAC control pod does not work at all. There are not lights on, and the controls do not function. I looked at some fuses, and they all look good.

If anyone could point me in the right direction, that would be amazing. Thank you

Brendan

 

You have several of the symptoms of bad ground(s). Bad grounds often cause things like dim lights and/or the wrong things lighting up, as electrons seek the easiest path to complete a circuit. Not sure on your HVAC system, but I would check to see if you have power at the fan switch when the ignition switch is on. If not, you may have a broken power lead. Do you have a shop manual or wiring diagram?

 

. I have a Haynes Repair manual for a firebird. No wiring diagram. Do you know where the ground locations are? Thank you for the reply.

 

My car is an 89, and in any case, I don't have access to my shop manual right now. You may be able to find a wiring diagram on the internet, or you could buy the correct shop manual. I can tell you that the ground wire on most GM vehicles is colored plain black. Hot wires are usually red or pink. I think (not sure) that the headlight grounds are local -- ie, there should be a black wire that runs right from the headlight assembly to a sheet metal screw into the metal housing.

 

Thanks for the info, i'll check that out. I doubt it helped that the original 305 was swapped with a carbed 350. There are wires everywhere, tons of ground wires all over the engine bay. The car is going to be fully restored, most body panels, and floor boards are going. I might try to rewire the whole car properly when the time comes, ill let you know if i find anything in regards to grounds near the headlights.