Author Topic: A little light, heater and instrument cluster help  (Read 4965 times)

Offline Matt9278

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 11
  • Newbie
A little light, heater and instrument cluster help
« on: January 16, 2020, 09:01:33 AM »
Hey everyone! I’ve been creeping discussions for a while and have found a lot of awesome info! I will be diving into this again tomorrow but decided to try and get some more insight from you all.

1983 gmc high Sierra
4spd
4x4
350
A/c but it has been hacked apart and is no longer functional

Keep in mind it’s January in South Dakota and after work when I get time to work on it, it is about 2 degrees and I lose motivation fast haha. I do not have a repair manual for these yet but would be open to suggestions on which ones to get.
 
I bought this pickup as a fixer upper for my son with what I was told by the owner had a “bad engine”. With a little elbow grease, plugs, cap, rotor, wires, and fuel pump I have it running like a top now. So we are at the point that I have trouble with, electrical. I did a quick survey and had headlights, left rear running light and left side marker. Other than that everything was dead. Changed a few bulbs and cleaned the plug that is in between the tail lights and all I’m missing now is right brake/turn signal and reverse lights. The right turn signal is VERY intermittent. I took the flashers out and switched them around with no change so I shorted them across with the same result. I guess my question is where exactly is the ground for the tail lights? I’m thinking that’s the issue.

Now to the dash. I have lights but oil pressure, engine temp and volts do not work, found what I believe is the ground for it just in front on the e brake on a 6-slot receptacle I guess I would call it? I’m not sure. Also I’m sure this is a ground issue as well but I’m not sure if I’m looking at the right one. I tried two panels and switching the gages around from one to the other with the same result.

Now to the heater. I kind of need that fella this time of year haha! I haven’t had much time to tinker with it because of lack of motivation in the cold but from what I can gather is I’m getting heat but it’s not blowing. I tried it with the engine off and I couldn’t hear the fan “ramping up” as I would call it. I have very faint heat coming out of the dash vents. First thing tomorrow I’m going to rip into that but in the mean time I wanted to ask do these pickups blow a lot of air or is it faint like I described?

I’m going to include a picture as a reference to the dash ground I’m talking about.

Thanks for the help

Offline zieg85

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 7543
    • 73-87 GM squarebody extended cab and conversions up to 91 R/V series
Re: A little light, heater and instrument cluster help
« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2020, 09:23:31 AM »
The ground for the tail lights is behind the left rear light assembly.  You have to take it completely out for access.
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
https://www.facebook.com/groups/248658382003506/

Offline zieg85

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 7543
    • 73-87 GM squarebody extended cab and conversions up to 91 R/V series
Re: A little light, heater and instrument cluster help
« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2020, 09:29:59 AM »
Verify the wires are connected to the temp and oil sensors.  I believe there is a gauge fuse and yes that block pictured it the ground for the interior wiring.  Verify the plug is secure in the speedometer cluster.
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
https://www.facebook.com/groups/248658382003506/

Offline 75gmck25

  • Frequent Member
  • **
  • Posts: 439
  • 1975 GMC K25 Camper Special, 350/TH350/NP203
Re: A little light, heater and instrument cluster help
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2020, 12:28:39 PM »
On older the trucks (like my '75) the instrument panel is grounded to a post on the emergency brake mechanism, but on newer trucks they use the ground point shown in your picture.  Failure to ground the panel will cause all kinds of weird behavior as devices find a path to ground.  Replace that ground ASAP, and then continue to  troubleshoot.

The lower blower speeds are controlled by the dash switch and the resistor pack that is mounted in the A/C plenum under the hood.  The high speed is a direct feed to the power point near the brake booster, but is controlled by the A/C relay in the plenum under the hood.

On high dash switch position or in A/C max it will kick in the blower relay and make the direct battery connection.  If its not working you may have a bad relay (not that common) or a blown fuse in the line under the hood.  Its fairly common to blow that inline fuse as the blower motor gets old and draws too much current on high speed.  In my experience, the only really strong speed on the blower is high speed.

Bruce

Offline bd

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6438
Re: A little light, heater and instrument cluster help
« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2020, 02:33:14 PM »
All of the factory GM manuals you should ever need: 1973-87(91) Factory GM Pickup Manuals.  You probably should take the time to download the relevant manuals to your hard drive for convenient, anytime access.

To augment what has already been posted, the blower motor should run continuously on low speed with the ignition ON and the fan "shut off" by the dash switches.  This is done to minimize mildew development in the vents.  Low speed provides nearly imperceptible airflow.  High speed is barely adequate in extreme weather conditions.  If debris clogs the ducts behind the dash (a common situation), airflow can be severely impeded. 

Typically, high blower speed is protected by a dedicated 20-amp inline fuse that connects directly to the firewall junction block mounted above the back of the engine near the brake booster.  The plastic fuse holders often melt and distort due to poor electrical connections with the fuse combined with the high current demand of the blower motor.  Distortion of the fuse holder often defeats high blower operation. 

Low and medium blower speeds (as well as the high blower relay coil) are separately protected by the heater fuse located in the fuse box inside the cab.  Although all power supplied to the blower motor flows through the high blower relay mounted under the hood, the relay itself energizes only when high blower is requested by the operator.

To check the blower motor, temporarily connect a B+ jumper protected by a 25-amp circuit breaker directly to the blower motor terminal and see how the motor responds.  For further help with diagnosis, we need to know exactly under what conditions the blower operates and doesn't operate, whether the blower is unusually noisy, etc.

(Edited for improved clarity).
« Last Edit: January 16, 2020, 08:26:35 PM by bd »
Rich
It's difficult to know just how much you don't know until you know it.
In other words... if people learn by making mistakes, by now I should know just about everything!!!
87 R10 Silverado Fleetside 355 MPFI 700R4 3.42 Locker (aka Rusty, aka Mater)

Offline Matt9278

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 11
  • Newbie
Re: A little light, heater and instrument cluster help
« Reply #5 on: January 17, 2020, 04:04:43 PM »
Wow awesome info and thanks for the manuals link!! I finally had a day off and got to work on this thing. Looked at the blower motor under the hood and found the purple power wire unplugged! Easy fix haha!! Moved on to the lights situation, I did find the ground mounting location. It was horribly rusty and covered in dirt. Took that apart and wire wheeled everything clean. Took some dielectric grease slathered it all over and slapped it back together. No change yet. I ran out of time dorking around today and the weather got too cold so hopefully tonight or tomorrow I can check continuity between the two sides and go from there. Next after the lights get fixed will be the dash. Hopefully I will have some time to work on it this weekend.

Anyone else use dielectric grease? I learned to love it while chasing ground faults on my vw!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline bd

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6438
Re: A little light, heater and instrument cluster help
« Reply #6 on: January 17, 2020, 07:14:12 PM »
Looked at the blower motor under the hood and found the purple power wire unplugged!

That's hilarious!!!   :)
Rich
It's difficult to know just how much you don't know until you know it.
In other words... if people learn by making mistakes, by now I should know just about everything!!!
87 R10 Silverado Fleetside 355 MPFI 700R4 3.42 Locker (aka Rusty, aka Mater)

Offline Matt9278

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 11
  • Newbie
Re: A little light, heater and instrument cluster help
« Reply #7 on: January 30, 2020, 03:54:15 PM »
UPDATE!! Since my last post I have cleaned all respective ground points.

I still do not have right rear brake light nor turn signal. I have checked continuity of the ground from left to right and I do have ground. My problem seems to be on the power side of things. I’m working on that at the moment.

Since I figured out the heater I have been driving it and the heater will roast out anyone that’s in here if you want it to! Maybe works a little too good? There has always been a faint scent of something about a half hour into a drive but I figured it had something to do with it sitting in a field for three years prior to me getting it. Today I was driving and smoke started to come out of the vents so I quickly jumped out and unplugged the power wire on the blower motor. This smoke didn’t smell like you’re average wire fry though. It smelled like campfire almost but with a hint of cigarette smoke. I’m almost betting there’s still a mouse nest in the heating system somewhere.

Now on to the instrument cluster, still no worky on the battery oil pressure and temp side. Tach works but when I shut it off it will jump up to 1500rpm or more and sometimes it will peg out.

Anywhoooo I have my work cut out for me. As always any suggestions are taken with consideration

Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline bd

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6438
Re: A little light, heater and instrument cluster help
« Reply #8 on: January 30, 2020, 08:22:07 PM »
Food for thought -

Using an incandescent test light, probe the yellow wire in the turn signal switch pigtail where it enters the inline connector mounted along the right side of the steering column behind the dash.  The yellow wire is the right rear turn/brake feed from the turn switch.  It should have power with the turn signals canceled and the brake pedal depressed.  It should also cycle ON-OFF-ON-OFF... with the right turn selected when the ignition is switched ON as well as when the 4-way flashers are energized.  If the wire remains dead, check it for being severed between the pigtail connector and the turn signal switch.  Otherwise, the turn signal switch is internally faulty. 

If the yellow wire at the pigtail connector has power as described, probe it again where it exits the leftmost edge of the firewall bulkhead connector.  Dead: the circuit is open between the engine compartment connector and the turn switch pigtail.  If it illuminates the test light, probe the yellow wire at the harness connector located at the rear of the frame.  Dead: trace the rear lamp harness forward until you locate the open circuit.  If it illuminates the test light, trace the yellow wire all the way to the right rear lamp.

A known area for rear lamp harness damage is where it passes over the rear drive axle and comes into close proximity with the exhaust.  Check there for heat damage and chafing.  Watch closely for potential water intrusion into the rear lamp connectors and look for split insulation that may allow water intrusion.

Regarding the gauges, remove and carefully inspect the gauges fuse for a cracked element and for corrosion of the fuse-to-fuse box connections, then proceed from there.  The tach head may be drawing power from a different source.  Oxidation of the PCB foils also is a common source of trouble.
Rich
It's difficult to know just how much you don't know until you know it.
In other words... if people learn by making mistakes, by now I should know just about everything!!!
87 R10 Silverado Fleetside 355 MPFI 700R4 3.42 Locker (aka Rusty, aka Mater)

Offline Matt9278

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 11
  • Newbie
Re: A little light, heater and instrument cluster help
« Reply #9 on: January 31, 2020, 04:47:36 AM »
Well good enough! Thank you! Now I have some work to do. Btw I found a huge mouse nest next to the blower motor so I took everything I could get out and vacuumed the rest. Hopefully the mouse pee smell goes bye bye soon. No more smoke out of the vents either so that’s nice haha!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline Matt9278

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 11
  • Newbie
Re: A little light, heater and instrument cluster help
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2020, 08:49:14 PM »
Interesting development here, goofed with the dash a bit and lo and behold I got temp and oil pressure gauges to work intermittently but I lost all lights on the right side of the dash. I can push on the left corner of the dash and I get lights back but lose oil and temp gauges. Still no volts either way. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline bd

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6438
Re: A little light, heater and instrument cluster help
« Reply #11 on: February 06, 2020, 09:02:34 PM »
Burnish ALL of the connections to the PC board - IP cluster connections, gauge clips, etc.  A No. 2 pencil eraser works well for this.  Just be careful that you don't dislodge the copper foils from their plastic substrate - it is a surprisingly easy mistake to make.

If you haven't done so already, disassemble and burnish the ground wire connections to the bus bar and unbolt the bus bar to burnish its connection to the e-brake pedal frame.  Reassemble with some antioxidant paste...

Rich
It's difficult to know just how much you don't know until you know it.
In other words... if people learn by making mistakes, by now I should know just about everything!!!
87 R10 Silverado Fleetside 355 MPFI 700R4 3.42 Locker (aka Rusty, aka Mater)

Offline Matt9278

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 11
  • Newbie
Re: A little light, heater and instrument cluster help
« Reply #12 on: February 06, 2020, 09:15:38 PM »
I have disassembled the ground connections cleaned and reassembled with a small amount of dielectric grease. The pencil eraser is a good idea though, I was wondering how to really get into those connections without damaging anything in the process. I just wiped them off as best I could with a cloth and contact cleaner and reassembled was all. I will do the eraser thing now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline 75gmck25

  • Frequent Member
  • **
  • Posts: 439
  • 1975 GMC K25 Camper Special, 350/TH350/NP203
Re: A little light, heater and instrument cluster help
« Reply #13 on: February 07, 2020, 06:16:19 AM »
There is also a spray contact cleaner named DeOxIt that I have used to clean oxidation when its hard to get gunk off electrical contacts.   Since its a spray I have also been able to use it to clean up rheostats (like volume controls), where the metal contacts are harder to reach.  Radio Shack and electronics stores used to sell it, but Amazon may be the best source now.

Bruce
« Last Edit: February 07, 2020, 06:18:53 AM by 75gmck25 »

Offline Matt9278

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 11
  • Newbie
Re: A little light, heater and instrument cluster help
« Reply #14 on: February 12, 2020, 01:54:16 AM »
Well I have come to the conclusion that the printed circuit on the back of the instrument cluster itself is toast. I cleaned the connections with the pencil eraser like was suggested and it didn’t change anything. Before I put the bolts in I turned the lights on and fiddled with the circuit in back pushing areas here and there and I can replicate with 100% certainty what I experienced before with the gauges/ dash lights.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk