Electrical Problems?? Help!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
Electrical Problems?? Help!
Richland WA
Electrical Problems(86)...HELP! 12:21 AM 1/13/2003
Alright, I just recently acquired this 86 Vette coupe.
I tried the cruise control by moving the switch to the on position and it didn't work. Shortly after the dirctional signal lights quit working. When I stopped the car I noticed a smell like burning electrical wires. I opened the hood and noticed that the horns had been disconnected by the previous owner. I checked the fuses for the turn signals and the cruise control and they had not blown. My other electrical items and lights are still working.
I am guessing that I have a short in the wiring in the steering column but I don't understand why the fuses didn't blow?
Any ideas if this is the likely cause and if so how I replace the wiring in the steering column? The burning smell was noticable under the hood, by the brake booster area it was the most apparent. It wasn't really present in the interior of the car. Any ideas as to other items that might have gone out and how to diagnose and repair?
Thanks in advance,
Chris
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Electrical Problems?? Help! (USAsOnlyWay)
Buy the electrical service manual for your 86 from GM. This is an excellent manual with pictures of where parts are mounted and a good diagnostic page on each part of the electrical system including schematics. You must have a schematic and a description of the system if you don't want to spend the rest of your life debugging your electrical system. You can get further help here, but you can't beat that manual.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 13,356
Likes: 0
From: tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Re: Electrical Problems?? Help! (jfb)
Ditto on the manual....I have an '84 and the genuine chevy corvette manual has helped me to the max......don't scrimp......buy it......you'll be much happier if you do...and it will answer so many questions....
tony
Just my thoughts....
:iagree: :steering:
tony
Just my thoughts....
:iagree: :steering:
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,712
Likes: 0
From: Manitoba
Re: Electrical Problems?? Help! (USAsOnlyWay)
Ah....the C4....the only vehicle with more miles of wire than a 747.
Have fun replacing the wiring in the steering column. When I had it apart it looked like you would have to totally dissasemble it to get it out of there! :crazy: Get the service manual before attempting this!
Good luck! :cheers:
Have fun replacing the wiring in the steering column. When I had it apart it looked like you would have to totally dissasemble it to get it out of there! :crazy: Get the service manual before attempting this!
Good luck! :cheers:
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Suburb Illinois
Re: Electrical Problems?? Help! (USAsOnlyWay)
:iagree: On getting a manual, very helpful. I have one my self. Too much to scan all diagrams but if you need a specific area I might be able to help.
good luck :cheers:
good luck :cheers:
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
Re: Electrical Problems?? Help! (Mike_D)
Alright sounds like I should get the manual.. . ;)
So now, this whole operation, which sounds like I will be ripping apart the column, replacing the wiring harness for the signals and anything else I find... plus the relays which I am pretty sure are toasted from the smell... how long would you guys estimate I should put aside for this?
P.S. Yes the manual is on the way.
So now, this whole operation, which sounds like I will be ripping apart the column, replacing the wiring harness for the signals and anything else I find... plus the relays which I am pretty sure are toasted from the smell... how long would you guys estimate I should put aside for this?
P.S. Yes the manual is on the way.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: danville ca
Re: Electrical Problems?? Help! (USAsOnlyWay)
dido the last question. Is there a seperate wiring/electric manual
for the 85-C4 than the shop manual?
We better get some befor they go out of print or avaiablity.
allen
for the 85-C4 than the shop manual?
We better get some befor they go out of print or avaiablity.
allen
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 2
From: BowlingGreen KY
Re: Electrical Problems?? Help! (allenw@icsgroup.com)
The horns were probably bad. Push the horn buttons and listen for the horn relay to click. If it does, that means the actual horns are more than likely bad. On the cruise control, take the connector off of the cc servo and clean the contacts real good and plug it back in, it fixed mine. On the turn signals, check the bulbs, if they are good the switch is bad or you have another electrical problem like you already said. If all of your fuses are good and in place you probably don't have a short because the fuses would probably be blown. On the burnt electrical smell under the hood, check to see if a wire is touching the exhaust, like an 02 sensor wire. :cheers:
[Modified by KYVette90, 8:29 PM 1/14/2003]
[Modified by KYVette90, 8:29 PM 1/14/2003]
