instrument lights

[rlpshoward1]

My instrument panel lights won't come on. Checked the fuses and there OK. One thing that I noticed is that when I turn on the head lights the radio light use to dim down, but now it goes out. I'm thinking that it's probubly a relay but looking at the Chilton manual I can't tell which relay and where it's located. I know that there is the row of relays up on the center of the firewall. Any help would great....

It's all ways something ain't it.........

1988 Grand Am 2.3 5 speed

[LargeFish]

OK, well I assume your problem didn't stem from reversing battery polarity, but this thread still might be of some help.

http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=10908

[rlpshoward1]

Nope no batt reversal. The problem had been intermittant but now failes all the time, so thats what makes me think somethings loose or a relay. As was stated in the tread that you offered, chilton only gives engine wiring, not much for the coach.
When I start it up, like normal, the time display is shown on the radio and the electronic speedo is lite. but when the lights are turned on, the above mensioned, should dim and the insturment lights should come. But they go out and no lights at all....all other lights and electronics are fine. Does anyone have or know where I can find the wiring for the insturmentation?
Thanks for the help....
All of my post from a year ago and before, on other problems, are missing from this forum guess they were lost when ya went to this newer format. THANKS AGAIN FOR THE HELP Is it dark out or just me?
:idunno:

[4kQuad]

My 89 does the same thing with the radio light.
But I have seen from time to time there is the two switches you move to turn the lights on, there is also a slider there. On my car it helps control how bright the dash lights are.

Maybe move or play with that slider next time it starts acting up.
Also my Haynes seems to have some pretty good schmatic's of the eletrical system

[rlpshoward1]

yep that's another option. I'll probably need you probe there also once I find a schematic. The dimmer (slider) for the lights does function to turn on the over head light if thats of any help...
Guess what I need is a place to find a copy of the schematic.

Thanks for the inputs....
Randy

[rlpshoward1]

No one knows of any online schematics for an 88 Grand Am 2.3 5 speed?

Thanks........Randy

[LargeFish]

The thread I pointed to you earlier contains a reference to a Haynes manual you should be able to buy for $15 and also describes everything in the circuit path. You could also borrow a Haynes and/or a factory manual from your local library.

[rlpshoward1]

Dang!!! $15 That's a case of beer...... I was hoping for an online
site or something...but guess that will work. Thanks..........

I'm starting to get the shakes already......(without the beer):coffee:

[LargeFish]

Hehe... I need the caffine so I stick to diet soda... You could also borrow, but if you are gonna do any stuff with your car, a manual is invaluable. I also reccomend trying to buy a used shop manual if you see one come up for your year. If I had a scanner handy I'd do you up, but less likely to find the older year ga stuff up on the net unfortunately, not that I'm saying I know for sure it isn't out there somewhere... I think Gimli's (a memeber here) site has mostly newer years stuff up.

[rlpshoward1]

yes sir, I have dealership shop manuals for all my other vehicles. I just got this car from my brother law less than a year ago and he gave me the Chilton that he had but as was stated above that one is not very good. But thanks for the replies. I'll keep checking as you suggested..... Dang now your calling my 1988 (THAT OLD OF A CAR).....thanks again, at least your replies keep my post near the top so that if anyone does know of a site they can aim me that way.....

[LargeFish]

I really didn't mean anything durogatory, I like older cars. ;) Just seems that relative to newer cars that were made since the Web went up, we may have less resources available. Not sure why Chiltons is light in the wiring diagram area, but they are good in some areas the Haynes is a little light in. I'm betting it's the module (transistor) or the relay, FWIW.

[rlpshoward1]

Yes I know that you didn't mean anything...I was just trying to be funny myself I guess I should have put LOL after what I said. Now my (old car), is a rice burner .It is a 1971 datsun 510 and I have a blast with it also. I have the factory shop manual for it though, as I do for my 1979 Toyota pickup and my 1981 Jeep CJ-7 and my 93 Z28 LT1 Camaro. Like ya said if your going to do almost any work on anything, they are a must to have. But right now still looking for something (cheap) LOL, online until I get one. By the way did you see the data from my auto xray scan tool, that I posted on (NoAsianCars) post? I do all of the work on all of my cars and i think that, now, the scan tool is a must also, like the manual. Dang I must not have very much to do looking at how long this post is, SORRY....

[LargeFish]

No sweat, and yeah I did see the output from your scan tool, pretty neat. Be a nice thing to have...