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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: boyer61 on October 31, 2011, 11:23:56 pm

Title: Fixed one problem, 10 more shows up
Post by: boyer61 on October 31, 2011, 11:23:56 pm
Well, My ignition switch went out, i replaced that along with the lock cylinder. What a pain to replace lol.

Any ways, i finally got it all together, i turned it over and adjusted the wheel and it died, fired right back up. Did the same thing again, it died. If i keep it in one spot, it's ok. But i can't keep up at the highest point at all.

Also, my high/low beam switch seems broke, it's like the turn signal lever cant reach the button, what broke there?

The starter seems to stick sometimes as well, like the key won't come back fast enough.

And one more thing.. as soon as i pressed the clutch down the horn' dome light fuse blew.. I havent check into that mch, it's freezing outside!

If anyone could help me out with any of these i would really appreciate it!
Title: Re: Fixed one problem, 10 more shows up
Post by: 1980c10 on November 01, 2011, 01:39:02 am
Your new problems could all be in the steering column. Now if you just replaced the lock cylinder it is likely something went wrong during that process. Maybe some wiring was damaged or something is shorting out. I start out by tearing into that. and giving it a full inspection.
Title: Re: Fixed one problem, 10 more shows up
Post by: boyer61 on November 01, 2011, 06:09:51 am
I plan on doing that again in a few minutes, i replaced the lock cylinder along with the plug in part
Title: Re: Fixed one problem, 10 more shows up
Post by: boyer61 on November 01, 2011, 11:17:40 am
What in the steering column could cause the truck to die?
Title: Re: Fixed one problem, 10 more shows up
Post by: 1980c10 on November 01, 2011, 01:46:03 pm
I haven't replaced a lock cylinder in a long time so I am not real familiar with the parts etc. However the ign lock is also a swith that provides power to most electrical things in the vehicle ie the radio, heater control and more importantly your distributor so if you lost that power the truck would die just as if you had shut it off with the key.
The fact that when you move your steering column seems to be when the problems persist is your biggest clue.
Look very carefully for anything that could be shorting out or even just loose also look for wires the show any signs of having been overheated such as slight burn marks or hints of melting. also check the pins in any harness plugs for signs of trouble and also look for loose individual pins and lastly make sure they are all plugged in tightly.
The problem most likely won't be really obvious so look carefully.
Title: Re: Fixed one problem, 10 more shows up
Post by: boyer61 on November 01, 2011, 02:25:06 pm
Alright i just took everything out again. lol.

The lock cylinder looked 100% fine, no problems that i could see, even put the old one in, still doing it.

The switch i believe was the problem. I think it was just a hair off when your supposed to put it in 'lock'. Thus causing it to just barely loose contact while running. I adjusted that and it's ok now.

I fixed the dome light/horn fuse as well, clutch pedal was touching a bare wire.

Only thing i need to fix now is the dimmer switch, the switch itself works, do i just need the actuator?
Title: Re: Fixed one problem, 10 more shows up
Post by: 1980c10 on November 01, 2011, 08:06:17 pm
I don't know on the dimmer switch; mine have always been on the floor. However with any electrical circuit you can test and find the problem with an ohm meter and a wiring diagram. but if there is an actuator maybe you can see it work or not work or for that matter or just look for worn parts.
Maybe someone can chime in who has had some experience with the switch issue.
Title: Re: Fixed one problem, 10 more shows up
Post by: Irish_Alley on November 02, 2011, 03:48:14 am
there will be two rods on the column one for the starter switch the other for the dimmer switch. follow the one for the dimmer switch to the switch then try to dim the lights see if it moves if it does you probably just need to replace the switch, i have seen one that the rod broke but pieces would fall to the floor
Title: Re: Fixed one problem, 10 more shows up
Post by: boyer61 on November 02, 2011, 09:04:41 am
is the rod near the turn signal lever? cause a few black plastic pieces fell out.
Title: Re: Fixed one problem, 10 more shows up
Post by: VileZambonie on November 02, 2011, 09:15:13 am
is the rod near the turn signal lever? cause a few black plastic pieces fell out.

Oops... Sounds like you broke it. Check the hi/lo beam switch and the linkage.
Title: Re: Fixed one problem, 10 more shows up
Post by: boyer61 on November 02, 2011, 09:16:47 am
Got a new rod coming tomorrow :) I'll check out the switch as well.
Title: Re: Fixed one problem, 10 more shows up
Post by: boyer61 on November 02, 2011, 09:17:40 am
for now what i did was layer some duct tape to make a spacer, so it will works it's just squishy.
Title: Re: Fixed one problem, 10 more shows up
Post by: Irish_Alley on November 02, 2011, 08:17:39 pm
the rod should be metal the switch is plastic and the lever is plastic i think the lever is the only thing thats black
Title: Re: Fixed one problem, 10 more shows up
Post by: boyer61 on November 02, 2011, 08:23:59 pm
This is what im referring to,

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/ACD0/D844.oap?year=1984&make=Chevrolet&model=K10&vi=1299696&ck=Search_dimmer+switch_01970_1299696_1178&keyword=dimmer+switch&pt=01970&ppt=C0039
Title: Re: Fixed one problem, 10 more shows up
Post by: boyer61 on November 03, 2011, 09:19:55 am
Is the dimmer switch located on the ignition switch on the column?
Title: Re: Fixed one problem, 10 more shows up
Post by: Irish_Alley on November 03, 2011, 12:30:35 pm
(http://contentinfo.autozone.com/znetcs/product-info/en/US/wl2/UDS438/image/4/)
this is the switch its near the ignition switch, the only thing i can think of thats black is the lever. but im going off memory its been 10+ years since my 88 had broken the rod
Title: Re: Fixed one problem, 10 more shows up
Post by: Irish_Alley on November 03, 2011, 12:35:54 pm
ok i see what you posted now. it could be the actuator it should kind of plug and play into the lever so yeah it could be what broke. the only way to see is to tear it apart
Title: Re: Fixed one problem, 10 more shows up
Post by: boyer61 on November 03, 2011, 11:16:59 pm
If it's the same one im thinking about, it's will actually unbolt when i undo the screws for the ignition switch, According to my haynes manual, i should have removed the slack in the dimmer switch, and i don't believe i did. I'll see if i can adjust it some tomorrow and hopefully it will be fixed and i can get that tape out of there. :P
Title: Re: Fixed one problem, 10 more shows up
Post by: boyer61 on November 04, 2011, 01:51:37 pm
I believe what broke was part of the never that covers some wires, not really needed anyways.

But anyways, all it needed was adjusted. Took out the duct tape, and moved the dimmer switch a little bit towards the steering wheel and it's all back to normal now!