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View Full Version : I need help with electrical problem.

BadBowtie
10-25-2002, 07:20 PM
Hey guys,

I need some help.

I have a 1987 s10 blazer 4x4 with a 355 tbi.

Just he other day i went over a bump and my radio turned off then turned on again.

I dont know why but it was fine the rest of the day.

Then today it was fine for a while but then it would just turn off again sometimes when i used my wipers or turn signal or brakes and sometime i wouldnt touch anything and it would turn off.

For a while it was only affecting my stereo, then when i hit the brakes my gauge lights started flickering.

I was wondering if anyone had some ideas where to look for the problem, im really confused.

Also at say an 800 rpm idle what kind of output voltage should i be getting from the alternator im only getting about 11.5-12.5 volts even when i rev the motor. shouldnt it be closer to 14 volts?
Mike
10-25-2002, 07:28 PM
start with ground wires
MOREPOWER
10-26-2002, 02:32 AM
No not really have to remember that ur running a computer that uses power, and w hat ever else ya running! 13 - 14.5 is good! mine only goes to 14 when i am crusing. i have few acc\'s take alot of power so ya good! and for the rest, check ground. tap around the wires underneath and see if it goes out might help! http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_cool.gif
MOREPOWER
10-26-2002, 02:35 AM
alternator.. check the belt, connections on it may be loose. or have ur charging system checked at a garage.
Wendell
10-26-2002, 05:55 AM
check the connections at your battery,the ground strap at your block and the connection at your starter. your alternator should be charging more than battery voltage at an idle. i agree with \"MOREPOWER\" have your alternator checked. when your battery voltage gets below normal weird things happen with your electrical system because the computer needs power to operate properly.if your alternator checks good don\'t forget to load test the battery. http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif
eurekarobert
10-26-2002, 09:59 AM
I had the same problem and found it was the was the fusable link near the starter was frayed!!! Twisted it back up and taped it and had no problems since. I had smoke coming out of my radio too. But it worked awhile later go figure.
whiner3
10-26-2002, 01:54 PM
the fuseable link is a good place to check mine used to do the same thing with the 2.8 always used to cut out.. and my wipers did crazy stuff too... they used to run on when i signaled left??? WTF!!!
BadBowtie
10-26-2002, 02:51 PM
i used a multimeter to check the voltage coming from the battery and i was measuring 13.74 volts at idle. but my voltage gauge was showing around 10 volts.

SO im gonna check the link to my starter.

But im not sure what else could be wrong.
MOREPOWER
10-26-2002, 04:26 PM
umm ya might have it on a power wire that powers something that uses alot of current so ur voltage gueage is showing 10 volts. try another wire!
BadBowtie
10-26-2002, 08:35 PM
OK i have check all the connection i could think of under teh hood.



Now driving down the road it starting happening again and out of fustration i hit the dash and it got better until the bump.

This lead me to believe it has in the dash somewhere.

after some playing around i have concluded it is deffinately under the dash.

the only problem is i cant pin point where.i pulled the gauge pod out and put it back in and it seemed to make things worse.

anyone got anymore ideas?
Mike
10-27-2002, 04:14 AM
do you have a ground strap on the engine block?
LT-10
10-27-2002, 04:24 AM
It also sounds like a ground problem to Me....



Don\'t know exactly for 87....but....most of the 1st gen trucks that I have seen have a \"bussbar\" for the grounds which is located above the steering column just forward and above the LH nut that attaches the column to the support....I\'d check and make sure the bussbar (just a metal strip with terminals on it) was tight and make sure the connectors were tight on the terminals...
BadBowtie
10-27-2002, 06:01 AM
I do not have a ground strap going from the firewall to the engine. it has been on for a long time.

As far as the bussbar i im not sure id have to check to see if its all connected.
Mike
10-27-2002, 06:09 AM
if you don\'t have a ground strap going from the engine block to the frame then you have a ground somewhere else, the engine block will create a ground somewhere, anywhere it can, this ground is not good enough and is prob loosing connection, I have seen this happen, the engine was grounding through the transmission and then through the shifter. the shifter became loose and created problems because it was losing the ground. If you don\'t have that ground strap going from the engine block to the frame then you need to put one on.
BadBowtie
10-27-2002, 06:09 AM
One more thing what can i used to make a ground strap out of.

I have some 8 guage power from my power amp install last year, can i put connectors on it and use that until i go the wreckers next time and get the ground strap?