View Full Version : finally got one, now the lights don't work
deputydawg
03-10-2006, 10:54 PM
I finally found one I could afford and got it. I now own a 1987 Grand National. The taillights, brakelights and dash lights do not work. I noticed the fuses were blown. When I changed them, they blew immediately. Any of you gurus able to tell me where to start looking?
Keller
03-10-2006, 11:22 PM
You probably have a short somewhere. Be good if you could narrow things down. Any aftermarket gauges installed? Or other 'homebrew' wiring done that might be suspect?
JHensberry
03-11-2006, 04:38 PM
Since you finally got a Buick, mine as well get a service manual to help you work on it...www.helm.com/service publications.
That will make your life alot easier dealing w/electrical & Mechanical problems.
See which fuses blow and try to physically examine/trace the wires around those components. You may have a power wire shorting to ground. HTH, Joseph.
deputydawg
03-12-2006, 09:32 AM
Thanks, will try. Yes, there are aftermarket gauges, a boost on the pillar and oil pressure and temp in the console that are not hooked up. THink I am just going to have to suck it up, climb under the dash and try to make sense of the ratsnest.
Also, the "low fuel" light stays on no matter how much fuel is in the tank- any hints?
I couldn't afford to get a cherry, but I am willing to do what it takes to get it back in shape.
Keller
03-12-2006, 11:44 AM
These cars did not have the "low fuel" warning option available from the factory. Chances are that someone has placed the module from a similar year Riviera dash in to your dash. Its just a small board that goes in from behind the dash like a bulb. That module may be faulty, or it may just be indicating part of the problem.
Its also possible that someone has used that unused area to illuminate for some other reason. It would have been an open socket from the factory. Some aftermarket alcohol injection kits have used this to indicate low alcohol levels.
deputydawg
03-15-2006, 12:45 AM
okay, I figured out the tail light issue, some "genuis" installed a trailer light plug and I found it hidden in the trunk...I took it out and taped up all the connections and voila-I have tail lights. I checked the brake lights and when I install the fuse, the brake lights come on and will not go off....any ideas?
So how do I turn off this "module"? The orange light is irritating.
The GN I bought was a little rough- it has been hit in the right rear quarter, but hey at least it is getting a good home with someone willing to restore it.
There are some other little issues that bother me, the digital tach doesn't work, but the boost gauge does. Is there a fix for this or should I just get an aftermarket tach to match the boost, oil pressure and water temp gauges?
Thanks.
Keller
03-15-2006, 03:20 AM
The module goes in from behind the dash sort of like a bulb. Tiny PC board. Just turn and remove, I believe.
The tach may fail to register if the green connector on the drivers side front of the engine (forward of the #1 plug) has anything in it. That is the tach test lead. It should be open. Often those who are clueless plug the nearby female black fuel pump test lead (black, grey (?) wire) into it because it fits. That makes the tach inoperative.
deputydawg
03-15-2006, 11:42 AM
Thanks!
any clues about brake lights that stay on? I am thinking a relay is stuck...any other suggestions?
Keller
03-15-2006, 11:55 AM
There is a switch above the brake pedal that may be out of adjustment. It just rides against the pedal when its not depressed.
deputydawg
03-15-2006, 01:52 PM
got it, while I was out I stopped at an O'reilly and the guy said the switch was bad, sold me another one. When I got home to replace it, again a "genius" instead of using the nut to hold it in place used some electrical tape...which had allowed the switch to slip back. I dug around in the garage, found a nut, installed it and voila- brake lights work. Now need to take the new switch back and get my 9 bucks back.
I took the bulb out of the cluster for the low fuel light..2 problems down.
I just noticed the backup lights are not working.....any clues on what makes the backup light work?
I looked on the engine and could not see the plug you were talking about for the tach, I see lots of half-a$$ wiring, going to take a while to get this straigtened out.
think I am just going to keep track of what does work- it is a shorter list.
Keller
03-15-2006, 04:39 PM
I just noticed the backup lights are not working.....any clues on what makes the backup light work?
Trying to remember...Its not the park/neutral switch setup. Might actually be a column related adjustment. Notice that part of it spins while shifting even if you have a console shifter - or should. Try watching the lights while running the shifter through all positions. Do they ever light up?
The green tach connector is roughly behind the A/C compressor.
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