mtor9477

Date posted: 9/30/2005 1:45 pm  Subject: 88 Chevy Van Strange Electrical Problem, Need Help

Hello, I own a 88 Chevy G20 Van. It suddenly shut off when pulling out of the driveway. Headlights, interior and brake/signal lights work. No accessories or ignition works (windows, start, radio). Checked all fuses, fusible links and replaced the ignition switch. The windows worked one time when I manually put the switch in accessory mode. Coming back a week later to continue work, nothing worked. When moving the steering column up and down and around, the buzzer comes on intermittently (door open buzzer) when key is in and in off position. Radio will intermittenly work when moving the steerling column when the ignition is in accessory mode. Windows worked once when moving the column and when ignition switch was in run mode. Now run mode and start do not work. Any help would be appreciated. By the way, this van came with a factory conversion Code Alarm System (I don't think that's the problem though because nothing lights up in the run position).

 

imperial90

Date posted: 2/07/2006 1:26 pm  Subject: 88 Chevy Van

Headlights, Taillights and dome lights are on a circuit thats always hot. You can't have you re lights go out if the car stalls on the road or you could get hit.
The other electricals are fused and run thru a connector on the firewall. You need a voltmeter and need to check if you are getting power thru to the fuses. Then it goes up thru the ignition switch and routed from there.
You said the fuses are OK. Did you just do a visual check? Check them with an ohmeter! Sometimes they blow in the ends where you can't see it.
But because you dont get power to anything, its most likley all your fuses would have blown at one time. That leads me to belive it must be in the connector thru the firewall, Corrosion, try wiggling it around. or check power from the battery to the connector.
Check battery. A full charged battery should have approx. 13 volts
Get a schematic for it that shows what wire goes where.
Good Luck.