Where to start looking?

[Nitronick]

OK guys. Here comes the brain picking I promised you!

1985 Coupe I just purchased. Ignition switch was not functioning and had a dead battery. I replaced the switch this afternoon and installed another battery. The first two times I turned the key on, the dash (speedo, tach, etc.) lit up like it is supposed to. Tried to start the engine, and nothing. I got out and checked battery connections. Everything's ok. BTW, shifter in reverse, foot on the brake and clutch depressed. I tried it in neutral with the park brake on, etc., but still no cranking engine.
I get back in and turn the ignition on. Nothing. Now the dash doesn't come on as it did before. I can hear something click when I try to start the engine, but it is not the starter. Sounds like a relay in the engine compartment from where I'm sitting in the driver seat.
I jacked the car up(I am gonna have to get me one of those low profile NASCAR kinda floor jacks :gap ), and measured the voltage at the starter. 12. whatever volts. I get a short screwdriver and jump across the solenoid, and the starter cranks the engine over. I have my brother get in with his foot on the brake and turn the ignition to on. BTW, I have positioned myself just barely under the car for a quick getaway incase the thing decides to come off of the jack! :nono
I very carefully jump across the solenoid again, and she comes to life

Where do I need to start looking to see why it won't crank with the switch? And why did my dash stop lighting up?

;help;help

Thanks,
Mitch

 

[Nitronick]

OK. Found the non cranking thing was the switch on the clutch. But I still cannot figure out the dash.
I have voltage at the fuse, the fuse is good, and I have voltage at the dash connector. When I turn on the key, the backing lights in the cluster come on, as well as a few of the readouts, but very dim. After maybe 10 seconds everything goes black.
Any ideas?

 

[Ken]

Glad you found the no-start problem. Sometimes it's the simplest of things.

Someone will be along to help you with your dash problems, just be patient.

 

[redc4corvette]

Make sure you put this in your favorites.



http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/problems.shtml

 

[Nitronick]

Thanks Red. That is indeed a very cool site. I have printed out everything I hopefully will need from there.

Thanks,
Mitch

 

[Nitronick]

Glad you found the no-start problem. Sometimes it's the simplest of things.

Someone will be along to help you with your dash problems, just be patient.

While digging under the dash futzing with the clutch switch, I noticed that the brake pedal also has a switch on it that looks the same as the clutch switch. There is'nt anything hooked to it, and I didn't see any unattached plugs lying around.
Any ideas on that one?

 

[redc4corvette]

It should be the cruse control switch.

It is there even if you don't have cruse.

 

[Nitronick]

Of course. Thanks again Red.
I guess I am going to have to look around under there again for the plug since the car does have cruise.

Mitch

 

[redc4corvette]

This one will make you an auto trans expert if you liked the last.



http://www.tvmadeez.com/article/index.html

 

[redc4corvette]

http://217.210.106.241/~u50017879/teknic/pill-filer/pills.html


http://www.centuryperformance.com/fuel.asp

 

[Nitronick]

Well, I finally found the dash problem .
The little ribbon cable connecting the power supply had a couple of shorts. While doing a very close inspection of the boards, I saw that one of the wires had completely severed from the board. I repaired it, but the dash still didn't work. So I did what any man would do: Hooked it up and started poking, squeezing and slapping it! And it started working, but intermittently. With a little more localized futzing, I found the source of the problem, and repaired it.
Temporarily hooked it back up, and it would come on full for a few seconds, and then go dim. It took me around 20 minutes to figure out why it was going bright to dim, bright dim.
NO ONE TOLD ME THIS THING HAS A PHOTO SENSOR IN IT!!mad
If it was mentioned in any of the links I have been to, I sure don't remember reading about it.
Anyway, all is well again, and I will be reinstalling it back in the dash tomorrow.

Thanks everyone for their help. Especially redc4corvette for that very informative link.

Mitch

 

[redc4corvette]

You did not ask, I put my thumb over mine from time to time just to see what it will do.I gave you the links to the dash repair I think?

 

[Nitronick]

You did not ask, I put my thumb over mine from time to time just to see what it will do.I gave you the links to the dash repair I think?

Oh, I put my thumb over it quite a few times. :duh:duh:duh

Not on purpose, mind you........


Again red, thanks for that link.;worship;worship

:bar

 

[Nitronick]

just be patient.

That's like asking a two year old to sit still!!:J:J:Twist

 

[WhalePirot]

NO ONE TOLD ME THIS THING HAS A PHOTO SENSOR

Hey, Mitch? It has a photo sensor in it.:eyerole

 

[Nitronick]

Thanks guys

The funny thing is, I remember seeing it when I first started disassembling the cluster. But when you're past troubleshoot mode and into what-the-hell-is-wrong-with-this-thing mode, you tend to forget stuff. At least I do.

But everythings cool. I got her out on the pavemant and lit the tires for a sec today Plenty of power.

I do have to trace down an oil leak. I think it's the front pan seal. I really hate those. It has a slight up and down idle and the check engine light stays on. But I expected this, since she is not stock. Can anyone recommend a good, inexpensive code reader?

Thanks,

Mitch

 

[redc4corvette]

A paper clip in the a-b conector by your right knee under the dash, the last two prongs are a-b top right turn key on do not start engine install wire between those two points and watch the lights flash on the das, the check engine light it should flash 3 times code 12 that means 1 flash then 2 and it will do it 3 times for each code until you pull the wire out,then you get to figure what codes you have and then look them up .
Code 12 means the computer is working ok dont count that one.

 

[Nitronick]

Well, a paperclip is about as cheap as you can get

Thanks red