95 se

[bigsammoe]

howdy guys ! i am seeking some help for my gfs car. 95 grand am se 3100,, her havc, gagues and gear select are all non working we hit a lil bump and they went off, she already had the multi switch replaced and her radio (aftermarket) is gay! it want stay on or stay in i think its got a short any way but i think maybe it shorted on the havc to short ti all out?? i checked fuse and fine i check fuse pannel voltage and got 11.61 its cold and her battery i think is about to go! soooo any one got any clues or have this happen to them before please email me if so

bigsammoe@comcast.net

or post up illl try to read asap!

[bigsammoe]

so yea any one? i checked dimmer switch gots power

[rixGAphx]

Three things:

1. Check ALL the fuses.
The GA's wiring is very complicated, and there are a lot of inter-related circuits.
A problem can be caused by a blown fuse that doesn't seem associated with the obvious problem.
So pull them all out one-by-one, inspect and make sure the contacts are clean, then reinstall.

2. Battery.
The GA's complicated electronics are very sensitive to poor voltage/low amperage.
A weak battery, and loose/dirty/corroded battery cable ends, will cause weird things to happen, AND will soon kill the alternator as it overcharges to try and charge a weak battery.

3. Dimmer Switch:
This thing just flat-out fails sometimes.

It's quite possible that the aftermarket stereo is mis-wired, and maybe something di 'short-out'.
But when something shorts, it usually only affects that thing; it should also blow a fuse, and that's when are things lose power.

Hope this helps.
-Rick

PS: Please clarify the original problem:
You said, "...her havc, gagues and gear select are all non-working..."
Did you mean:
1. HVAC:
The HVAC system stopped working?
or
The lights for the HVAC controls stopped working?

2. Gauges:
The gauges stopped working?
or,
The guage lights stopped working?
Does the rest of the instrument panel light-up when you first turn the key 'on', or is the cluster blank for the warning lights (you know: 'Check Engine' and 'Oil Can' icons, ABS, Seat Belts, etc.)?
Do the speedometer and tachometer work?

3. Gear select:
I *assume* you mean the light in the console, since there's nothing else electrical in the cabin relative to 'gear select'.

[bigsammoe]

well i know she is going to need a new battery like soon shes keepin a good 11.71 volts but then agin it is cold and she didnt drive it for that day yet,.,, as for the fuse i checked the gauge one and it was fine,, i will have to pull the rest nexts time! and to the problem YES its only the lights,, gauges work but no back light to see at night same with HAVC. i tired testing the dimmer but i didnt have to much time, but thanks a ton for the help! iam going to UTI and if i can take her car for a day iam sure it wil be fixed ! but i will let you guys know of the out come! thanks aton