Van troubles: What could be wrong?

  • Thread starter Thread starter scarslasher
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scarslasher

scarslasher

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So my dad's van ('92 Chevy Van G20) has had a bunch of things go wacky recently after (ironically) pulling out of a NAPA store.

  • The air conditioner fan went
  • The power windows don't work
  • And the speedometer doesn't work

AND the emergency brake light turned on, even when it's not engaged.


We can't see how all these tie together. ESPECIALLY the speedometer. That's mechanical. It shouldn't tie in with the rest of them.
 
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They don't. Aside from GM electrical systems being about as reliable as Jaguar electricals on about half, and as reliable as a stone wheel on the other half.
 
I think your dad needs to look underneath his dash, he might have stepped on some wires hanging there.
 
Dennisch
I think your dad needs to look underneath his dash, he might have stepped on some wires hanging there.
Click to expand...

He might have. Though he's a bit stubborn. But he seems pretty darn sure the loose wires I've seen down there are just for the television and this one light that's loose.


AND we're told apparently the speedometer IS somehow tapped into the electrical system, so I guess that a good thing, we can narrow it down.
 
My grandpa had a van like this, had curtains, couch, tv and table. Ended up being a POS so he got rid of it
 
Yeah, that's what he's thinking of.
But if this fix is a simple enough one, he can keep it going a bit longer. He's thinking of scrapping the van and replacing it with a Trailblazer since he borrowed my grandma's for vacation when the AC in the van let him down. He was surprised at just how much better the gas mileage was. Not to mention, it'd hopefully be easier to repair, not having to have to deal with a stupid hump under the console.
Hell, the gas gauge on the van has been kaput for years now. We always kept records on it on paper. lol

But back on topic, we're going to fix this if we can.
What it might be is some relay or even a computer somewhere letting us down. I think he's going to take it up to a shop. He's got a friend that might be able to diagnose it.
 
scarslasher
Yeah, that's what he's thinking of.
But if this fix is a simple enough one, he can keep it going a bit longer. He's thinking of scrapping the van and replacing it with a Trailblazer since he borrowed my grandma's for vacation when the AC in the van let him down. He was surprised at just how much better the gas mileage was. Not to mention, it'd hopefully be easier to repair, not having to have to deal with a stupid hump under the console.
Hell, the gas gauge on the van has been kaput for years now. We always kept records on it on paper. lol

But back on topic, we're going to fix this if we can.
What it might be is some relay or even a computer somewhere letting us down. I think he's going to take it up to a shop. He's got a friend that might be able to diagnose it.
Click to expand...

Just make sure you don't put more money into it than its worth.
 
How would an ignition have anything to do with any of that? The "on" position lets electricity flow to all the accessories, not just the windows and blower motor. Do the power locks work? Does the radio work?

Also, if the speedometer is cable-driven and it stopped work then you need to make sure the cable is still connected at both ends. Mine had actually come unthreaded from my RX7's transmission at one point.

As for the parking brake light, there is a switch on the brake which detects when the brake is on or not. Get a multimeter and test that switch to see if it's working properly, and see if it's positioned properly.
 
WELL WE HAVE AC AND POWER WINDOWS NOW! :D And the light is off. Haven't tested the speedo yet, though.

I think you're confusing parts. We're talking about the ignition switch.

This part:

acd1405b_1.jpg


Sets on top of the steering column. Had to drop the column.
In the old switch, one of the prongs looked scorched, which threw some red flags up.



EDIT:
Here's the problem prong.

4t6137.jpg
 
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The parking brake light could be a brake fluid warning light as on a couple of cars eg Hondas the parking brake light is a dual purpose light ie for when the handbrake is on and low brake fluid. Could of been stuck and as he pulled out it may have caused it to come unstuck. Maybe not the case with American cars but I dunno
 

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