mbfan72

The illumination for my instrument cluster went but gauges all work. Used gm electrical manual. Checked out okay.failure to illuminate seems to be tied with turning car off. Mostly off but comes on occasionally.
Next it looks like VATS is deciding to kick in whenever it feels like it.
This morning I drove the car to an event. Went to start it and nothing - no power to even interior lights. Messed with VATS connection and undid battery. Got interior lights but starter didn't even click. Got a boost and it started right away. On way home checked volts and got 14.
Seems unlikely that these are not tied together. Any ideas of common link?

DBo

I would start with the battery connections and then the grounds, working outward. These are common sources for randomized electrical problems. Start there, see what you have, and check back.

leesvet

what yr?
that matters..

mbfan72

Mine is an 87.

When dash not illuminated turn signal indicators light as well as high beam indicator. Turn signals and lights all work.

Starting with grounds now.The ground from the negative terminal of the battery to the chassis looks pretty rough.

leesvet

do grounds from the firewall trunk line to the block. These drop down near the wiper motor and run to a bolt on the block near oil filter somewhere. MOST important.
You have the JUMPER post also...clean all the power wires on there.

bob guzzy

You can add grounds to any car get some heavy guage wire some large wire ends, make some or just buy battery cables the kind they used to use on fords with two ends that connect to bolts.

Run one from a bolt on the engine block to an existing bolt on the frame, underneath the car you can add one to the ppf to the body.

Cliff Harris

VATS has nothing to do with dash lights, so that is not an issue.

More likely a bad connection on the battery cables. Check BOTH ends, BOTH cables.