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If I connect the battery the warning buzzer sounds and doesn't shut off (key in or out) until I turn the key to the run position. ALSO the dash lights and parking lights come on the same way. Any ideas. I'm all out!
Two different problems. Key buzzer. Switch in column at ign barrel. Grounds though the left hand door switch. If the switch itself is stuck shut and the door switch is grounding even with door closed?????
pink wire with black tracer from buzzer unit to the key switch in the column is likely shorted to ground.
I would start at the buzzer unit. Follow the pink w/black tracer wire looking for a pinch. Unplug the harmonica connector. Does the buzzer stop? Perhaps there is a short to ground inside the column. Etc. Etc. Follow the wire. The key buzzer switch is closed with key off in the off position of the barrel. A little plastic tab that usually wears away and doesn't work hits the switch and closes the contacts. Then a black wire goes from switch to the left door switch which actually has 3 contacts. And yes it's possible to have the dome light go out but the key buzzer to still make contact. The third contact is for the factory alarm.
Second problem, running lights and dash lights at key on.
WOW, running lights get switched on with or without the key on. Some kind of unusual issues here.
Im sorry, id have to track this one down. Bubba's been at work here.
Hard to trouble shoot over the internet. But, try this. With key off. Pull the light switch halfway. Do the running lights come on? Can you dim the dash lights by rotating the switch?
if no, perhaps a previous owner did some wiring bypass because of a faulty switch?
If yes. Once key is on. Can you dim the dash lights?
Clearly some wiring is jumped somewhere for running lights to just come on at key on. I'd start at the fuse panel first looking for jumper wires as this would be the easiest place to make this type of crude repair.
Thanks for all that info. I'll check all that out. I replaced the buzzer switch in the column and the light switch. I did disconnect the harmonica connector and buzzer still sounds. I also disconnected the left and right door switches. It doesn't matter if the key is in or out the buzzer is still on. And I agree that the parking lights are a mystery I have no idea why they're on.Is it possible that the buzzer is just bad (aside from the light issue. I know that is a separate problem)???
Your buzzer should have a gray wire coming out of it and landing in the LPS socket of the fuse panel.
That wire is normally HOT when the headlight switch is pulled in either the 1st or second position(s) so when a door is opened and HLS is on the buzzer will sound.
"But" if the buzzer is back feeding internally through that circuit it MAY also feed and illuminate your dash and gauges lamps.
Try unplugging the single wire connector landing in the LPS socket, I believe it should be a single gray wire,
Thanks bmotojoe. I completely removed the buzzer box and still have paring light and dash lights on. Does that have to be connected for the system to function properly? I wouldn't think so but I'm reaching for anything here.
Removing the buzzer box won't prevent dash/parking lights from working. I think 4-vettes is on the right track. Somebody in the past has jumpered some wiring to make the parking and dash lights come on when the key is on. You'll have to trace the wiring to figure out what's been monkeyed with.
A good wiring diagram is going to be essential for this. A meter or test light will come in handy. Also, the GM electrical troubleshooting manual for your year is really good, if you can track down a copy. They show up on ebay now and again.
I found a good Corvette specialty shop. Any idea on how much it would cost to troubleshoot an electrical issue. I know it could be an hour or 8 hours labor depending on the problem. I was going to bring it to them with the gauges removed so the dash wiring was easier to get to.
I'm thinking I would look for a jumper wire at the fuse panel long before I would pull the dash out. Fairly big pain in the butt pulling the dash. When bubba cobbled your wiring chances are he was way to lazy to pull the dash apart.
A. Start simple, generally these cobbled up fixes were done because they were lazy in the first place.
B. Before you go through all the work of pulling the dash apart. Ask the guys your going to take it to if they would even want you to do that. Couldn't hurt to ask first.
Thanks but I was redoing the interior and had the dash apart anyway. I just hope I didn't fudge something up. I know electrical issue can be a pain in the butt to find and can get expensive. Thanks again
.....1980 automatic
Key Warning Buzzer Won't Shut OFF
