No dash lights turns to no instruments at ALL

[whelen1]

While tracking down a no dash light problem and focusing on the headlight switch another problem arose, now none of the guages work, the battery light comes on, choke light comes on and the car idles like **** and dies ....

Now this is not my car and Its just my luck that something like this happened. Im not to adament about taking apart the dash, at least not by myself but im sure it has to be done. Is there anything that im possibly looking over?? The fuses are good, the battery connection is fine and its a new battery. The car was running fine before I started to take a look at that switch.

Is there anyone that can shed some light on this for me, or willing to take a ride to the Hartford CT area to help out a fellow trace this problem??

Thanks in advance!

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
Ok, well, there could be a number of issues. Being that you have an 81, and the electrical systems on these are known to be difficult at times.
First thing, What was moved before the situation arose with the dash and the bad idle????
Second, lighting and the like can be traced to a few different wires on the fuse block supply, are there any blown fuses????
Next, do you see any taped up wires that do NOT look like the were there from the factory????
Please keep us posted, and depending on what happens with this, I may stop by in Hartford.
Do you have the factory service manual and wiring schematics????
Got a trip up north for a Vette Technical seminar.
Please keep us posted, c4c5

 

[whelen1]

Hey, thanks for replying...

ok to answer your questions.

First: I was in the process of taking all the screws out of the dashboard to gain access to the headlight switch. Some simple moving of the dash: left, right, tug tug to try and find those stubborn clips holding it in and to see where else it was attached. The glovebox/tape box in the dash was removed to find clip #1, was trying to find clip 2 when I tried to start it and found that this problem occured.

Second: According to the owners manual which I happened to find today (buried inside the cubby at VERY bottom) it said that there was 1, 20 amp fuse controling the guages and lights. Pulled that one and the subsequent other 20 amp fuses and all were normal, I double checked them by running a volt meter on all the ones I pulled. **Now please note, that it seems like someone has been into the wiring out of the fuse panel, not sure though...I have not seen many c3 fuse panels.**

Third: As for taped up wires, I don't remember seeing any ... though I will check in the morning. There lookes like a couple that don't look like they were from the factory, but I cannot say for sure.

And unfortunatly I don't have anything on this car besides the manuals that were supplied at point of purchase. I know, I know ... I was planning on picking up a manual this week before this happed JUST to have around.

Honestly, I don't believe that this problem can be traced or helped over the net, but I have been wrong before! From my electircal knowledge this is almost a tell tale sign of a lead/or chaffed wire grounding out, or the lack of a ground on the electrical system....


Thanks for your help...

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
Ok, with this in mind, let me check to see when my trip is, and we can see what we can do.
However, there is a few things that you can do.
When you turn the ignition to on, check each and every fuse, including the one 20A for the dash, with a voltmeter. You are looking for battery power at each one, on both sides. When there is no power, please let us know what circuit it is.
Meanwhile, I will check my schedule, and see when we can meet.
Allthebest,c4c5

 

[whelen1]

Awesome ...

ok, I will do that prob tomm morning, I have company coming today ... I will let you know what if anything I come up with.

Thanks c4c5

 

[whelen1]

Breakthrough ....

Well, this is totally interesting, perplexing... and can fall under "duh" catergory.

Went out to check the fuse panel per c4c5's request. Got into the car and noticed that the gas guage moved a little when I sat down, shook the car ... guage moves more. GOOD SIGN!! im thinking.

Get the keys, and turn the ignition to the modern day "ACC" and the tach works again, and its zero'd correctly....choke light is on, voltmeter works, getting readings from everything.. EVEN BETTER

Go to start it, and while she was hesitant at first, fired right up!!!! Ran the tranny though the gears to try and trip a CES light or get the engine to quiver and NOTHING!!

We now have the biggest problem solved, MOISTURE! :confused :bash :bash .... talk about testing my nerves !!!!

Now, I HAVE checked the dash lights and those are still a no show ... which brings me back to my original problem of gaining acess to the switch!
Still hesitant about that though....

c4c5 :BOW thankyou ... let me know if you still want to come out. Prob wouldn't hurt to have it looked over by a Vette Tech. I still have some gremlins to work out with the headlight switch (attempting that today), carb work (running a bit rough :confused ) and some other small things.

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
Then I would suggest this course of action, check the fuse block bulkhead connector where it goes through the firewall.
These have been known for moisture penetration, which will create all sorts of gremlins.
Also, check your battery terminals at the back of the battery compartment, to make sure they are clean and tight.
Please keep us posted, c4c5

 

[whelen1]

Its never ending ...

Ok, I will check the fuse block ...

well today while working inside trying to figure out how to get to the light switch, the sun visor fell on my head ... THE KNUCKLE SNAPPED!! grrrrr..... now I need to find out how to get THIS fixed ...

 

[Ctfoodguy2000]

Brian - perhaps the sun visor was just trying to knock a little sense into your head!! Just kidding.....

 

[whelen1]

Brian - perhaps the sun visor was just trying to knock a little sense into your head!! Just kidding.....

Kiss my :booty Steve

Anyway ....
c4c5, I checked the fuse block and all seemed to be in order, but it the car has been dry for 2 days, so any form of water is now gone. Also, the battery is new and the terminals are nothing short of new..

*edit*

I was able to get some manuals thanks to Singledad_9 ... but unfortunatly I must be going about this the wrong way ... the simple switch replacement has turned into nothing more than a swearfest

Found the actual guage illumination fuse (not that good of a contortionist) the 7.5 amp fuse had on it what it seems like a power overload or something on it, the plastic was melted and bubbled on one side, the other was fine. The fuse was fine and still worked properly :confused

I don't like the idea of traveling by flashlight. Ive tried everything short of taking the dash off/apart, but its looking like thats the way its going to happen.

;help c4c5, any luck getting some free time?;help

 

[whelen1]

Bump .... Paul (c4c5) you still out there?


This car is testing my nerves and has an electrical gremlin somewhere .... the dash lights work now .......... GRRRRRR

All it needs is a decent tune up according to Mike ... Paul, you up for a tuning session?