Drove the 84 to work yesterday. On my way home, it was misting rain, had the wipers on, they were acting erratic, not running at a consistent speed. My dash panel is very dim, has been getting progressively worse of the last month. It was this way when I purchased car...work in progress statement goes here.
Anywho, car was running wonderfully, no signs of laboring or idle issues, it has the 4+3 tranny, 85K miles. I had the headlights on...it was raining...turned into my driveway and downshifted into 1st gear to pull into the garage when the engine just suddenly shut off. No warning at all, no stumble, no miss, just instant death. Windshield wipers were in the up position, not moving anymore, headlights died, dash lights went away, radio quit playing and the vent fan quit running. I attempted to restart the old gal and got nothing, not even a click. So I pushed her up into the garage. Checked my battery last night...8.6 volts...battery is 3 months old. So I'm thinking alternator, put it on the charger, full charge this morning and still nothing. Interior lights work, underhood lights work, the buzzer for key in the ignition now works but still not getting any juice to the other stuff. Any ideas? I haven't checked any fuses yet but I will when I get home this afternoon. Is it something more sinister or troublesome? Advice? Anyone had similar issues? HELP!!!

 

The first thing to check are the battery cable connections. Make sure they are tight and clean.

 

UPDATE!!! Ended up being a failed splice from the PO at the starter! Amazing. Dude did a fugging jack leg job of it also. Anyone ever want to just grab a PO by the throat and choke the living **** out of them? I'm having one of those moments right now. At least I got her running again!

 

^^I was going to suggest you check the fusible links located at the starter area.

They are subjected to some pretty harsh road conditions and can corrode pretty easily....you found the issue

When mine did this...I think that was the most disturbing feeling I've experienced with this car. It just took a digger and had to be towed home......And the fix...once the problem was diagnosed...the fix took 15 minutes tops....

Your other issues are not related. you have a soup of issues you need to address.

The Wiper deal is....yet again....(thanks Early 80s electronic technology) Electronic. On the actual wiper motor there is a roundish Printed Circuit Board. It is old and the connections are corroded. This means your wipers will only work on Dry days. You need to but that new PCB and replace the old one.

Your Dash Dimming issue is yet another deal. Again Electronic. Do yourself a favor and don't argue....just be submissive for 15 minutes on this one. Go to Batee.com and dig around. He has a step by step guide for you to follow for fixing your dash once and for all for less than $50. This is a discussion that occurs every month The thicker headed members usually drag it out for over a week trying all sorts of other cures. Once they open their mind and follow the Batee.com instructions to the "T", they come back and either publicly or by Private message...they apologize for being a non-believer....LOL

Of course no one is mad, it's all good as we are learning from each other...and that is what this forum is all about.

 

+1 on batee.com
I've been combing his site for dash instructions/encouragement. AWESOME reference page. Biggest problem I'm having right now is FINDING the time to pull the dash apart to give it a go. Not afraid of it, just having trouble fitting into my work and off work schedule. Oldest son just went off to college (Freshman year) so we've found ourselves running back and forth with the "oh I forgot to do this stuff".

On the wiper blade issue, the board is on the actual wiper motor? I was about to order the selector switch on the door. Thanks for the heads up. I may of been chasing my tail again! I haven't had any issues with the wipers running on dry days - YET - knocking on wood here -

I've been doing some "other" reading and there seems to be a turn signal issue that is related to the dim dash LED. My right turn signal light occasionally is lit up and when it does this, it won't work. Question I have is, is it the turn signal switch or is it related to the dash issues? I've seen threads that have said both or one or the other. Was wondering if you had any experience with this also. When the turn signal switch isn't lit the turn signal works perfectly. So I'm leaning more towards the dash deal....what say Ye? LOL!

I have a few of the "usual bugs" associated with owning an 84 but man is it ever fun to drive.

Thanks for reading and responding, trying to learn as much as I can here. I'm more accustomed to the naturally aspirated, non-computer controlled hot rods. This is my first trip down this road. I figure I'll either get better or gain more grey hair! LOL!

 

TIME: first off, the dash can be done pretty quick. I did mine while watching a Sunday night Football game in the Garage. I even had to go to Target to find the right "nut drivers" to complete the job......be aware, you HAVE to have that size "nut driver" to do the job. trust me on that one. I have a lot of tools here in the garage....nothing worked.

TURN SIGNAL: Yes, when both the turn signals and the blue bright light indicator are illuminated as the Dash goes dim.....this is a classic case. Batee will help you out. At first you can bang on the dash to get it to reverse....then you bang harder and harder as the months go by....then comes the day when no amount of banging will fix it.....it's just dark.......This is so typical a book should be written.....titled....."So you bought a C4"

 

As an owner of an 84...I get the "Oh...so you bought a SLOW Corvette" and I usually respond "No...I bought a CORVETTE - where's yours?" which is usually met with a blank stare - LOL!
Anywho...it's mine, it's fun, it's a work in progress and I'm working towards returning her to her original glory. I have a few of those electrical issues and several interior cosmetic issues to sort through but I'll get there. Thanks for the insight. I genuienly appreciate it!