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89 GMC electrical problem
#284879 April 22nd 2009 11:23 pm
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wookee Offline OP
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I have developed a crazy problem on my 89 GMC.
for what ever reason I can't get my running light to work right.
When I converted my tail lights I made good connections and shrink tubed those.......
I had to replace a front marker light bulb about a week ago no biggie......
At the van blessing I had no markers and no tail lights.Turn signals and brake lights work fine
All the fuses are good I have even replaced the head light switch.
The wierd thing is when the switch is out I can jump out the connections and make the lights work......
hook the switch up no lights.......
I went back to Adavanced and got another new switch ........No help......
I am also getting constant power to the dome lights.....
I can't find where some body has ran power to those......
I have also pulled the door jamb switches and they have no power going to them.....they should behot if the dome lights have power

I am usually pretty good at figuring out electrical problems but this one has me stumped.......

........Wookee



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A life style you have to LIVE to understand!

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Re: 89 GMC electrical problem
wookee #284930 April 23rd 2009 6:15 am
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Could be the dimmer switch. Had the same problem one time. Finally took the vehicle (sorry, don't remember which one it was) to an auto electric guy and he came back with a bad dimmer switch. I know it was on the floor so it was prolly my 77 Dodge, but $20 and 10 min work and it was fixed.


Ken Schwarz
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Re: 89 GMC electrical problem
wookee #284942 April 23rd 2009 6:31 am
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Quote
I am also getting constant power to the dome lights.....
I can't find where some body has ran power to those......
I have also pulled the door jamb switches and they have no power going to them.....they should behot if the dome lights have power


The door jamb switches generally provide the ground side for the dome lights. When you open the door the plunger pops out making a ground via the body.

What kind of condition is the headlight switch connector in?


Nate Breece
Re: 89 GMC electrical problem
NateB #285033 April 23rd 2009 9:40 am
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You more than likely have a bad ground for your markers.. back probe the ground side of pretty much any of the light sockets for the markers and put the other meter lead on a good ground connection.. check for continuity. typically, lighting issues always turn out to be a broken or corroded or loose ground connection.. You also have a fuse for "parking lights".. check for power to that fuse..


Yeah..... I know I know.... It's NOT a van... But if you squint, It could be a REALLY long van?

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Re: 89 GMC electrical problem
swimmster #285040 April 23rd 2009 9:59 am
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Thats funny, I have the problem with my '89
The dome lights stay on all the time. I couldent figure it out so I just pulled the fuse.
Keep me posted if You find the problem it might be the same for me.


Loonie Toon Truckers...
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Re: 89 GMC electrical problem
Galaxy #285050 April 23rd 2009 10:26 am
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wookee Offline OP
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Here is a question
If it was a ground problem why to the running lights, light when I jump the power straight to them?.
I will get into them and double check the grounds.
The fuse is good to that circut.

Nate the plug at the switch is good.

Ken,I have been through the dimmer switch thing With the floor mounted dimmer switchs.When they go bad it ussually takes out all of the head light circuts.The marker lights will still light

The dimmer switch is in the colunm on this van.

........Wookee


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A life style you have to LIVE to understand!

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Re: 89 GMC electrical problem
wookee #285291 April 23rd 2009 10:01 pm
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Are you getting power for the running lights coming into the switch? If your switch is good, your fuse is good, and jumping power to the running lights at the switch connector leaves pretty much only one thing left.. you are not getting power from between the fuse and the switch connector.


Yeah..... I know I know.... It's NOT a van... But if you squint, It could be a REALLY long van?

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Re: 89 GMC electrical problem
swimmster #285414 April 24th 2009 11:41 am
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wookee Offline OP
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yep getting good power to the switch.......
Thats what I used to "jump out" the other circut.
As far as I know there is only one power source comming into the switch......
I still have not figured it out....

.....Wookee


Its a "Van Thing"
A life style you have to LIVE to understand!

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Re: 89 GMC electrical problem
wookee #285553 April 24th 2009 9:43 pm
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You should have a separate fuse and power source for the parking lights. Take a look at the fuse block and look for a parking light fuse or marker light.. lemme go find one of my books.. I'm about 90% sure they have their own power source.. but i will go make myself 100% sure or correct myself for being wrong. maybe they will have diagrams on alldata.com.. that way i don;t have to get up..


Yeah..... I know I know.... It's NOT a van... But if you squint, It could be a REALLY long van?

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Re: 89 GMC electrical problem
swimmster #285560 April 24th 2009 9:59 pm
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Ok.. yepper.. you have a fuse labeled "tail lamps".. on the left hand side of the fuse block, it is the second from the bottom. you have a wire from this fuse that goes to your headlight switch.. then from the switch to the parking lamps.


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the diagram on alldata is MASSIVE, so if you want to see certian parts of it, let me know...


Yeah..... I know I know.... It's NOT a van... But if you squint, It could be a REALLY long van?

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Re: 89 GMC electrical problem
swimmster #285565 April 24th 2009 10:24 pm
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wookee Offline OP
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Thanks a bunch I will check this out tomorrow.....

........Wookee


Its a "Van Thing"
A life style you have to LIVE to understand!

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Re: 89 GMC electrical problem
wookee #285588 April 25th 2009 12:29 am
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Wookee I looked in my book and it showed, on the switch connector, headlight power from the fuse panel is the red wire and parking light power from the fuse panel is the orange wire.

BTW I didn't know those switches had a built-in circuit breaker for the headlights? I learn something everyday.

Last edited by CatFish; April 25th 2009 12:52 am. Reason: ah kant spel
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