Please help me slay this electrical gremlin!

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR ISSUES WITH ANYTHING RELATED TO OBD-1 AND OBD-2, SECURITY, AUDIO AND VIDEO SYSTEMS, PLACE THEM HERE. USE THIS FORUM FOR SES LIGHTS, RPO CODES, FACTORY OPTIONS ETC.
Post Reply

Topic author
tigre
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon May 27, 2013 1:41 pm

Please help me slay this electrical gremlin!

Post by tigre »

Hi all, I'm having a bit of trouble and hope someone can help me out. I recently swapped out the stereo head unit in my 2003 Safari, and since then a few things have either stopped working or work sporadically.

Here's the long list of things that are wrong with my van: the rear wiper and rear a/c don't work at all, the clock/radio backlight works when it wants to, the gauge needles flicker a bit (the gas gauge once read empty and the fuel light came on even though I knew it was lying to me), and now the power door locks aren't working right. All the wiring harnesses are connected securely and I've checked fuses and reset the battery by leaving it disconnected for an hour, but it didn't help. I have no clue what's going on here and really don't think these are all isolated incidents. If anyone can help I'd love to hear some ideas. Thanks so much!
User avatar

Herbie
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 674
Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:45 am
Location: San Diego, CA
Has thanked: 12 times
Been thanked: 4 times
Contact:

Re: Please help me slay this electrical gremlin!

Post by Herbie »

This sounds like a faulty main ground someplace. Battery cables clean and tight? Main grounds good?

There are several in a 2003 - a couple at the top of the engine bay, a couple on the driver's side fender wall area, I think, and a couple more farther down...
"My minivan is cooler than your bro-truck"
2003 Astro AWD Astrolander/ZMB - GTRV Top Transplant, 4" OLV Lift, NP233 T-case, evolving interior
1995 Safari GTRV Organ donor - gutted and gone.
Image

Topic author
tigre
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon May 27, 2013 1:41 pm

Re: Please help me slay this electrical gremlin!

Post by tigre »

Thanks so much! There was a loose ground in the dash below the stereo. The only thing still having troubles is the door lock actuator. The passenger side was already dead when I got it but now I guess the driver's side is too. That one maybe I can just clean it up since it's just now going out.
User avatar

CaptSquid
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1230
Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 4:50 am
Location: Billings, MT, 'MERICA!

Re: Please help me slay this electrical gremlin!

Post by CaptSquid »

Check the main battery ground as well. I just found out yesterday that that particular item was at fault for 99% of my electrical woes.
Mike, Billings, MT, 'MERICA!
92 Safari SLE w/Z Motor (sold to a good home)
98 AWD Stro LS
93 Suburban Silverado 4x4

Look for the MISSING Alien in the Right Seat. AL, PHONE HOME!!!

ImageImage
Image
Post Reply