New member with odd problem

[whooosh]

Greetings all, just found this site and hoping to get some info. I have a 87 GN with 92k. Whilst driving home from work the headlights, radio and lighter all stopped working. Once home and with further inspection I found the door locks and interior lights DOA. I've checked the fuses all good and the fusable links, all good. Dunno what to do next. I have a wiring diagram in the Hayes manual but its not exactly like the car sooo???? I also replaced the headlight switch, no avail. Thanks in advance for any help.
Justis

 

[Weazel]

Hmmm, weird. I had the same thing happen right after I got my GN. I was idling outside a friends house, and everything went out. The motor was still running, but all the electrics went kaput. I shut down, let it sit, and voila...everything was back to normal.

I know that I had a weak alternator and a weaker battery. Have you checked the voltage across the bat?? Do you have a spare to swap in and see what happens? That's about all I can come up with without going through the cryptic wiring diagram myself. Good luck.

 

[John Larkin]

If you used the cigarette lighter, they are notoriously bad and will pop a fuse. Most of what you listed is on that circuit. New fuse, back in business. Double check that cig/clk fuse. That's usually the one to go.

 

[Ken Cunningham]

I second what John says. I pop that fuse ALL the time. Just last Friday, f'instance. It should be a 20 amp, I run 25 but still pop them from time to time. If I turn on the radio, my power antenna goes up, move my power seat back, hit the power door locks, and blammo! Too much current for that one poor circuit.

 

[whooosh]

Hello and thanks for your replies. I have rechecked the fuses and even replaced the cig/clock, crtsy fuse and it didn't help. I kinda guess its a ground strap come lose or a relay. But I can't decipher the wiring diagram, after all its for the wrong car. I am searching for a diagram for the specific year. However I don't think the diagram will tell me exactly where to look. Any further thoughts?
Justis

 

[TurboJim]

Originally posted by whooosh
Hello and thanks for your replies. I have rechecked the fuses and even replaced the cig/clock, crtsy fuse and it didn't help. I kinda guess its a ground strap come lose or a relay. But I can't decipher the wiring diagram, after all its for the wrong car. I am searching for a diagram for the specific year. However I don't think the diagram will tell me exactly where to look. Any further thoughts?
Justis

Hmm..headlights (wiring wise) have nothing to do with the other stuff. I'd say you have 2 problems. I belive the headlights get power from one fuse link, and the radio etc from another, making it MORE weird. I wonder if the large nut on the starter is loose/corroded

 

[ghall]

http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/electrical/wiring.html

This page on gnttyp.org has all the wiring available in a zip file.

You could pull the cig lighter out real quick and check the power and ground side to see which one you are lacking.If it's the ground----maybe there is a common place where they all meet and that will lead you to the problem---i dunno--just thinking out loud

Geoff

 

[GrndNatnl]

I had a similar problem. While fiddling with my boost gauge, attempting to wire it to the lights, I was using a test light to find a dash light source. Well, one of the connections I made caused the bell (when the lights are on) to ding slower. Then when I touched it a 2nd time it went *poof* and everything went out. I keyed everything off for a few seconds, then got in, shut the door, started the car, and everything was back to normal. Still not sure what happened, but it made no sense. All the fuses were fine.

 

[salvageV6]

Buy yourself a Helm service manual for our cars. Best $75 you will ever spend on it.

Fusible link B runs the headlights and cigar/clk fuse with those circuits you listed.

The door locks are on fusible link A and the 30A circuit breaker.

I would try and reseat the main connector C100 under the wiper motor by pushing on it a bit and give it some movement.

If the problem clears up you have an intermittant connection at that location.

You sure all the fusible links are good? How did you test them?

They melt internally to the wire usually. Visual inspection isn't helpful always.

 

[TurboJim]

Yup, I agree, it would appear theres a problem with link B.

If you download the wiring diagrams on gnttype, pay attention to fig's 1 and 5. . Fig 1 shows the fuse links at the starter, and fig 5 shows the pins from the fuse link tothe ign switch and headlight switch