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variety of electrical issues
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my93sierra
Novice
Mar 15, 2020, 12:50 AM
Post #1 of 10
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variety of electrical issues
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hi everyone,
i'm a lady who works on my car when i can. having an electrical issue.
93 gmc sierra 1500 5.7
almost 300,000 miles
tonight, turned the engine on (engine already warm, had been turned off and on a few times driving around town) and then turned on the headlights - they came on for a second and then the truck suddenly lost power and the engine stalled in park. started it again, drove it home with no problems.
i've owned my 93 sierra 2 years now. soon after receiving it, the lights on the guage/speedometer display would come of and on whenever hitting a bump in the road, but completely off now for maybe the past 4 months. the only and last light on the display that illuminated was the highbeam indicator, until last night.
this week, having issues with headlights. the low beam stopped working, then both high and low would go out, then turn back on. last night both high and low beam stopped working but the fog lights still work when headlights turned off.
first time ever the highbeam indicator light on the guage display stopped working. now it's completely dark.
tonight: high beams worked but low didn't. no highbeam indicator light on the dashboard display.
any thoughts on what this might be?
any suggestions on where to begin?
such as 101 for people who want to learn about electrical systems repair/maintenance?
really appreciate your insight,
thanks so much
(This post was edited by my93sierra on Mar 15, 2020, 1:06 AM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 15, 2020, 3:46 AM
Post #2 of 10
(1936 views)
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Re: variety of electrical issues
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Electrical problems are solved by following a wiring diagram to find out where the circuit is broken.
You do not diagnose electrical issues by the maybe it's this and maybe it's that method.
Ignoring known pre-existing electrical issues will only serve to complicate the diagnosis.
I can get you a wiring diagram but I first need to know if it has daytime running lights or not. That was optional in that year.
You might start by checking the switch itself. The plug contacts get burnt over time.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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my93sierra
Novice
Mar 15, 2020, 10:55 AM
Post #3 of 10
(1912 views)
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Re: variety of electrical issues
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thank you Hammer Time,
yes, this model has daytime lights, always on.
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my93sierra
Novice
Mar 15, 2020, 11:31 AM
Post #4 of 10
(1907 views)
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Re: variety of electrical issues
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i was wondering, can anyone tell me if it is unsafe to drive the truck? i need to make a few more trips before i can get to work on it.
if it stalls while driving, will I be able to brake?
(This post was edited by my93sierra on Mar 15, 2020, 11:32 AM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 15, 2020, 11:38 AM
Post #5 of 10
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Re: variety of electrical issues
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No, you will not be able to brake if it stalls. You will lose your brake booster.
I couldn't make this any smaller as I spliced 2 diagrams together.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Mar 15, 2020, 11:39 AM)
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my93sierra
Novice
Mar 15, 2020, 12:21 PM
Post #6 of 10
(1890 views)
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Re: variety of electrical issues
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great, thanks for the help Hammer Time.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 15, 2020, 12:55 PM
Post #7 of 10
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Re: variety of electrical issues
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Just let me add: Nice diagram hope you can see and maybe print I know I could and could read it. Notice indicators of "GROUNDS" on that. those wires are either or both bare braided or with insulation see them at firewall then note they are all over the place.
'93 give or take if real lead Pb they usually last even this old! Other just dry rots. Just FYI if broken off try to remove usually a lag bolt if it busts add one near it knowing if you drill nothing is behind that.
If nothing else the things cause a lot of whacko problems if weak can do the headlight problem look up there too and near battery. If headlights do that (they take a lot of power) and sharing ground or seeking it elsewhere the problems go whacked like this.
It's already old, tons of miles I'm usually surprised but not for these folks fix them up again and again if basics are good.
Good luck the diagram should help a lot read it carefully, Tom
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my93sierra
Novice
Mar 15, 2020, 1:22 PM
Post #8 of 10
(1878 views)
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Re: variety of electrical issues
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thanks a lot, Tom.
i now have a good idea where to begin.
might take me awhile, but i will post with results.
thanks again everyone
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 15, 2020, 2:05 PM
Post #9 of 10
(1871 views)
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Re: variety of electrical issues
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It all may have be done already. At least know.
Just off the topic I keep stuff "Forever+" like a mad man Hammer would have no argument :-)
{My own daily truck was this by Chevy built in '96 bummed it hit 70K :-( }
Spray hinges a lot. Spray those grounds first WD-40 then seal them with heavier "White Lithium Grease" comes as spray Wally-World has the best deal on it.
Grab a can of PB-Blaster too if you want to keep this longer. The spray nozzle of brand Gumout carb/throttle body cleaner will make PB a spray you can control better.
Watch out that can eat paint, rubber things. Anything stuck that's normal to for A/C if equipped and working put some on threaded connections. Same for flare nuts anywhere - just a drop on fuel, transmission line, brake lines big time look for where lines go down that's a proportioning valve never goes bad on most but lines to it will.
Tailgate and anything saves wild troubles if you had to deal with it later OR someone else.
Yes you can get parts but if good now you'll NEVER need them for silly looking some a nightmare hard to do stuff, Tom
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my93sierra
Novice
Mar 15, 2020, 2:55 PM
Post #10 of 10
(1865 views)
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Re: variety of electrical issues
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thanks for the info Tom! lots of good tips that i will be sure to revisit as my learning continues.
i am hooked on this truck model/make.
yes the door hinges had problems and i just kept feeding in the 3 in 1 oil. worked great.
my biggest challenge right now is city street cleaning once a week. and with everything shutting down due to covid19 even my emergency mechanic is unavailable. (all the more reason to learn!)
wish me luck!
and good luck to you!
thank you so much for your support )
(This post was edited by my93sierra on Mar 15, 2020, 3:04 PM)
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