Help with Electrical problems on a 98' Cavalier?

Question

Hi guys,

I bought a used car a few months ago, and its beginning to be a real headache...

For starters, the vents only work sometimes, and I can't find anything to relate it to. Basically they come on when they want to. This includes the rear defroster and AC, and any combination of settings.

Second, my Check Airbag light is usually always on (which it wasnt when i bought it), with the exception of when the ABS light is on. They are never both on at the same time, its always one or the other. On a side note, when I had my car inspected, neither lights were on for a couple turns of the engine.

Lastly, tonight I started my car and my dome light would not turn off. I tried cycling the engine a few times, different combinations of switches, and nothing. Even when the car was off and the keys were removed. I had to pull the fuse out, but I noticed when I put it back in some electrical systems came back on for a second (like the clock).

I am at a loss, what are some things I can check?

Answer 1

All of that stuff can be caused by the body computer. Probably just a loose connector.

Answer 2

burn it

Answer 3

Check "second wires" that come off the battery connectors! These are the smaller wires - almost all GM cars have this setup!  Now if somebody has cut off the origional connectors on cables, - then remove cables from battery posts, stick in cup of water with a teaspoon full or so baking soda, -- watch water "fizz"! That is acid being neutralized, and corrosion being dissolved,-- wait till no more steady bubbles then remove and flush with water and re-connect! If car works ok, then make a note to replace entire cables with new ones with ends connected on at factory!  Those "nice clamp on ones" are bad news,- They easily develop corrosion between cable and clamp, - so now you have twice as many places for corrosion to happen and "put you out of business"!  When I buy a car that has them, I get new cables with proper connectors, and remove and discard those, -- before they leave me "stranded "somewhere!

Did you know that there is a position on dash light dimmer that turns on interior lights?  It is generally all the way turned in one direction or the other!.... I will not turn off if left that way! Many people have been "messed up" with this switch, so it is nothing new!

Try putting pressure on instrument panel from underneath (if you can reach it), and see if the dash  indicaters work right! These panels loose grounding connection easily, as the plugs on them are not the best in the world!  Sometimes removing instrument cluster and plugging in (and out) the connecters a few times cleans up the connections and it will then work ok again!  Also remove and check all related fuses, sometimes the little strips or connecters inside fuse box sometimes get corroded too!