Electrical Problems

[Achilles]

Ok, this thread is related to my last one "Will the problems ever end?" Now I have a bigger issue. When I was checking the A&B terminals for the OBD, I could hear Snap,Crackle & Pop having a party behind the dash panel with quite a bit of smoke oozing out. uh-oh, not good. I'm too afraid to look at what I'm in for. So lets get hypothetical for a moment. Doesn't the OBD terminal go directly to the ECM? Thinking maybe the ECM got fried and the PROM too?

I'm thinking if so, that worse case scenario, I replace the ECM and PROM and that maybe that is what was causing my original problem with the car stalling and eventually dieing all together. That maybe the computer was taking a sh*%.... Dunno?

I checked all the fuses to see what might have gotten fried. The courtesy lamp/clock is burnt out. But I've had problems with that one before so I'm not too surprised (Something Bubba must have done back in the day). And the turn signal/BU (Back up lights?), that one is melted. Not blown, just melted.

I guess I'm looking for some positive reinforcement. Hoping I'm not going to uncover a melted spaghetti noodle mess. I suppose the first thing to do would be to put a test light on the suspect fuse terminals and go from there. If I have to rebuild the dash cluster, I'll do it.

 

[cfour93]

A & B terminals

Here's the pin outs for OBD this may help determin what you crossed.

 

[1Bad86]

Crispy Cluster

Thought I better post this on your new thread. If you have a GM Shop Manual the color-coded wiring diagram is in the back Section 8A-82-0. Oddly enough it shows Pin E on the ALCL going out as Serial Data Output by way of the ECM. Hope this helps some , but I can't seem to find where it shows all ALCL outputs or there destinations. The turn signal fuse meltdown sounds like the work of Bubba and is part of the cluster scheme. That may be the real culprit of the unwanted cookout. Maybe Bubba forgot to wrap some of his "Fancy wiring" :ugh .

 

[WhalePirot]

Is this on the '86 or the '95? I highly recommend you get an electrical shop manual for this car. It will lay out for you, the wiring of the car (as it was at least) and list all the components protected by each fuse. As my car uses a variety of components from varoius years, I have both manuals for the '84, '87 and '90. You needing any pics of some pages?

The turn signals on mine operate through a somewhat complicated switch at the steering column, under the dash. The logic switching for the flashing lights and the brake lights lies therein. The cluster merely holds the indicator lights.

The ALDL, which is what I think you are referring to, has connections to various components and sensors, plus at least on wire to the ECM, which may well NOT be fried.

 

[1Bad86]

Oops

Yeah, you're right I did mean ALDL and I'm pretty sure its his 86. At least that was the impression I was under. I have the 86 shop manual with the electrical layout. But, Im no engineer either

 

[Achilles]

Yes it is the 86. The only wiring diagrams I have are in my Haynes repair manual and it shows the color code charts. Don't know how thorough it is. Yes it is the ALDL and this all happened when I jumped the A&B terminal, which is common to do for checking codes. Any diagrams you have would be helpfull. But I need to get inside the dash first to see what I'm up against and I haven't had time yet. Thanks for your help.

 

[Achilles]

You needing any pics of some pages?

Thanks Whale. I'll let you know if I can use any pics.

 

[Ken]

Wiring can be such a pain ...

 

[Achilles]

Thanks Ken, I feel so much better now.:eyerole

 

[WhalePirot]

Wiring can be such a pain ...

Which is why I will stay with the digiDash, for now.