HELP me fix my van.

[docruger]

I have a 1992 GMC vandura. its driving me nuts. here it is. about 2 months ago i was driving along and the ac went out, i looked at the dash and saw the speedometer also was not working and the break light came and the windows would not work. when i got home i looked for a relay a short a fuse just about everything i could think of and found nothing. now this is not my first rodeo i have had to fix cars all my life. ok back to the van. anyway i gave up on it. well about 10 days later everything started working on its own, up til a week ago when the same thing happened. anyway, anyone have any idea what could be the problem ? i cant afford to take it to a shop. thanks

[Cypress]

AC is dependent on both the compressor and a relay.

Speedometer...I dont remember if that year was still driven by a cable that goes into the transmission.

Break light....Are we talking about the parking break light.

Window...Another relay i believe.

It is strange that all are going out at the same time. Usually when things go haywire all at once it may be that the alternator is not charging the battery sufficiently. Have autozone or advanced auto parts check both battery and alternator out for free and that might be a start.

[cp478]

with all the seperated probs i would lean towards computer module trouble.

if so not that bad to change if ya find one at a junkyard.

bought a car off my aunt with electric probs that would barely run.
friend diagnosed computer and with a trip to the junkyard and 100 bucks, spent about half an hour changing and boom problem solved.

hope its something easier though!

[cp478]

the one thing that is throwing me off is the speedo.

[docruger]

Originally Posted by cp478

the one thing that is throwing me off is the speedo.

it is a electronic Speedometer. i just don't understand why all 4 things would happen at the same time. and why the last time it happened it fixed it self.

[92hatchattack]

Sounds interesting. Ecu is a consideration but i kinda doubt it. Some of the things on the list like the windows dont really interact with it. Grounding issue maybe? Beats me

[QWKDTSN]

Sounds like a grounding issue to me.

[Jack Straw]

Yeah, sounds like you should check the alternator grounding wire and the main engine ground, and clean them up. Also make sure the associated wires are not corroded underneath their insulation. What happens is, as the connections get old, they get corroded, and not as much current can flow through - this will show up with failures of certain electrical components that either require a lot of current to operate or are "further away" on the chain (more resistance). Also could be a ground point in the dash, which can be a real PITA depending on how easy it is to take apart.

I would also suggest that (assuming the alternator is charging fine) the battery could have a dead cell or two - I have had this happen before with somewhat similar symptoms, although mine was not intermittent. Have it load tested.

[d_day]

As jack straw says, check all your connections and make sure they are clean and tight.

If that doesn't solve the problem you could have an intermitant open from a loose connection under the dash, or even a broken wire. Electrical problems are my least favorite.

[fiddlegrin]

I don't recall meeting a dash that wasn't a pita to get into.... hmmmmmmm 62 bug?

54 ford truck? ................ Soap box? Ya! thats it!


(+ 1 on the possible intermittent voltage drops due to low charging voltage, batt issues and high grounding resistance)

[docruger]

thanks BOTLS, you gave some stuff to check. i wonder if i can run jumper cables from my other car for more power and ground, if that may be a way to test it ?

[docruger]

Originally Posted by docruger

I have a 1992 GMC vandura. its driving me nuts. here it is. about 2 months ago i was driving along and the ac went out, i looked at the dash and saw the speedometer also was not working and the break light came and the windows would not work. when i got home i looked for a relay a short a fuse just about everything i could think of and found nothing. now this is not my first rodeo i have had to fix cars all my life. ok back to the van. anyway i gave up on it. well about 10 days later everything started working on its own, up til a week ago when the same thing happened. anyway, anyone have any idea what could be the problem ? i cant afford to take it to a shop. thanks

found the problem, it was the ignition switch. thanks for all your help