Hi SWF, I need advice on the following please... Recently I've been having trouble starting my car despite having a fully charged battery, one or 2 lights will show on the dash, but not enough power for a turn over or for the courtesy lights to come on. After a while, the car stars up without any hesitation, as if there isn't an issue. When the car was running again I noticed that my right turn signal would not flash (although the left side would), later when the car was off I checked the bulbs and the top one was out, after pulling it out, cleaning it and reinserting the bulb, the car wouldn't start..... So by a process of deduction, this morning I removed the same bulb and the car started, the bulb is fine btw, it doesn't blow out. But it won't flash as an indicator, but hazards are fine. Added to that, my 'Rear Door Ajar' light is now on and sometimes goes out when I press the foot-brake. How is that signal sent, I haven't noticed any button on the rear door jamb. All fuses that I can see are fine, is there somewhere else I should be looking for the cause of this or is my car just possessed? A wiring diagram would be a great help. I will have access to a workshop for the summer from next week so will be de-installing the interior for an overhaul, hopefully this will give me access to all the electrics that appear to be shot. The dash will be the first thing coming out...... Thanks for any input.
If my memory is correct, all the wires to the back of the car come down the driver's side, and the ones for the passenger side lights, license light, power tailgate lock and window etc cross over below the tailgate. My guess is that you have a pair, at least, of wires that the insulation is damaged on, and they are shorting out. I'd start there, anyway. Run the wires from the point they split from the wires to the driver's side lamps.
I had to reread your post to figure it out. Is it named Christine? Never heard such a thing. I once had a 1950 Buick that started and ran great all the time. But if left more than one day the battery went dead. It had a short someplace or a dome light on that I couldn't find. But never heard of the light out problem. Gotta be a short short. Still don't see how one blinker bulb can cause that. Maybe it's warning you to not drive it on certain days!
Thanks MikeT , I will take that direction and see what might be loose or chafed down there. It might be linked to my non-descendable tailgate issue too...the arse of my car might have a lot to answer for. After not much success in 95F heat over the weekend, I got fed up working on the car and said to the friend who was helping me; "This is the last try; let's go get drunk if it doesn't work." She started straight up, so we went and celebrated with bloody marys.
Take a look at the condition of all the wires and connectors. If the wires have been butchered, it may be cheaper and easier to buy a replacement rear harness complete and just do it that way. there are several places that make replacement harnesses.
I've just finished putting her all back together again after gutting the interior, front and rear and the dash for a full cleaning and repairing of any damaged wiring I could find. The lamp issue did turn out to be 2 loose wires in the rear light housing, the insulation was gone. The 'tailgate ajar' light was coming on because the mechanism in the bottom of the tailgate no longer registered when the door latch was engaged, so I unplugged it, light now out. A thorough clean of everything has made quite a difference, there was a load of dust and grime behind the dash, I can now see my indicators clearly! It was shocking how much brown water ran out of my carpets when I rinsed them down after 3 scrubs! 23 years of grime I guess. I also had my two front doors apart and was able to fix window mechanisms, central locking and loose grab handles. Its been a busy few weeks but well worth the effort!
I like the way you are bringing that 'ol Buick back, BZ. You have put a lot of effort in that car and it will be well worth it. Especially driving it around Belize!
