Help! Several Issues from Winter Maintenance

[91-Vetteman]

Well, I thought yesterday was going to be the big day, put the battery back in and take her for a ride, boy was I bummed out. Over this past winter, I replaced the shift console, auto shift stick, window switches, upper gauge bezel, steering wheel, door locks, AC/heater blower motor, radio, & power antenna. I stuck the battery back in yesterday and had the following problems:

1. Headlights popped up, light switch is off. My high beams are on, I cannot switch them off. I removed my turn signal / speed control switch over the winter as part of the steering wheel / column restoration.
2. Gauges are reading all weird, high and low readings, analog clock not working.
3. Horn does not work.

Item 1 and 2 are my biggest concern. I am at a loss on the headlights. Not sure what I would have worked on that could have impacted them. The circuit board on the back of the gauges sure looked flimsy when I removed it. The copper runs and circuit board itself all looked very aged. All gauges and clock worked perfectly prior to removal. A neighborhood motorhead told me it sounded like a grounding issue. I will figure out the horn, that is the least of my worries.

Anyway, I would appreciate any tips or suggestions from you guys to help me troubleshoot problems 1 & 2 above. Thanx !! :confused

 

[wishuwerehere82]

John,

For #2, check the connector on the console board for the gauge problem. You can take out the glove box liner and reach behind to feel if the connector popped out.

 

[91-Vetteman]

I figured it out !!

I figured out my 2 major problems !! The gauge inaccuracy was due to electrical connection, the connector on the back has some very flimsy copper connection points that got a little bent during removal. I cleaned them up and reinstalled and they work fine now !!

The headlights remaining open was very simple, the bypass switch underneath the steering column had been moved.

Anyway, cleaned her all up and took her for a spin this weekend, ready for state inspection tomorrow !!

 

[Eric]

Good luck with the inspection and congrats since this is your last year of emissions. Wait, you're in Richmond, do you guys even have emissions down there? On second thought, don't answer that cause if you say "no" it'll just tick me off to end at our Commonwealth.:L

Anyhow, eligible for antique tags next year!

 

[91-Vetteman]

Thanx Eric, and sorry to say, no emmisions check down this way !! The black and white antique tags are going to look good on her !!