Ask Your Car Question. Car Experts Answer You ASAP.

(Not a Car Question?)

I had my '99 chevy silverado given a diagnostics test
Sent to Car Experts August 24 09:35 PM

I had my '99 chevy silverado given a diagnostics test and was told the ignition switch had a short and was causing my instrument cluster to "blink" along with the radio and headlights. I had it replaced and the next day the same thing happened. Then after further diagnostics I was told that my cluster had a short which spiked to the ignotion switch and caused it to short. So I mat be paying another $400 to fix that. My question is... Do you think I am being taken for a ride and if so what do you think the problem is?

 

Optional Information:
1999 Chevrolet silverado v8

Already Tried:
replaced ignition at Ted Wiens

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $20
Answer
August 24 10:07 PM (31 minutes and 39 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Do the lights flash without the engine running? I have seen where the alternator starts to go bad and the as voltage is not correctly converted to dc voltage and causes a ripple in power which will cause the lights to flicker. You can have your alternator tested at most auto parts stores and they can see if there is ac voltage present at the battery or if you have a volt meter set it on ac and put the leads on the battery and see if you get a reading. If the lights do not flicker with the key on and the engine not running I do not think it is the dash unit, but a voltage ripple.

I hope this helps. Please click the Accept button to close the question.
Picture
autodoc_2000 -- Auto Service Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 916 Car Accepts
ASE Master Tech w/ Advance Engine Performance
Reply
August 24 10:48 PM (40 minutes and 42 seconds later)
         
Reply to autodoc_2000's Post: No, as a matter of fact, the lights and guages do not flash or move until I press on the accelerator. When it is on idle, everything is fine.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
August 24 10:57 PM (9 minutes and 8 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Check the electrical system for ac current like I suggested in the previous post. It sounds like the alternator is your main culprit.

I hope this helps. Please click the Accept button to close the question.
Picture
autodoc_2000 -- Auto Service Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 916 Car Accepts
ASE Master Tech w/ Advance Engine Performance
Reply
August 25 7:02 PM (20 hours and 4 minutes and 41 seconds later)
         
Reply to autodoc_2000's Post: The correct voltage is coming from the alternator. Ive been told by another mechanic that the combination switch could be the problem since all the wiring for the control cluster come together there. It has to be a common wire to all the guages or feeding the cluster is my thought.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
August 25 7:07 PM (5 minutes and 41 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
If that were the case why does it only happen when you give it gas? I am still leaning towards having a problem with the alternator or voltage regulator. I will see if I can dig anything else up on this.

I hope this helps. Please click the Accept button to close the question.
Picture
autodoc_2000 -- Auto Service Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 916 Car Accepts
ASE Master Tech w/ Advance Engine Performance
Reply
August 25 7:11 PM (3 minutes and 39 seconds later)
         
Reply to autodoc_2000's Post: Thank you, I appreciate your concern.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Reply
September 2 2:44 PM (7 days and 19 hours later)
         
Relist: I still need help.
ALternator is fine and charging at full voltage but battery still has a drain. It has 12v now. The truck will turn over and then die immediately after. Usually I have to try 3 times before it will keep running. I did hear something like arcing inside the dash. For now, I disconnect battery each time the truck sits overnight.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
September 2 4:35 PM (1 hour and 50 minutes and 34 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
This is the first time that you said anything about it being a starting issue. If the battery is being drained and by unhooking the battery it does not drain you defiantly need to find the drain in your electrical system. Try removing one fuse at a time and see if the short goes away. Once you find the fuse that the short is occurring in then we can try to narrow it down from there. Since your battery is draining and the alternator checks out OK we have more information to go by. Try also unplugging the dash dimmer switch. If this is shorted out will affect the intensity of the dash lights.

Edited by autodoc_2000 on September 2 2006 at 4:35 PM

I hope this helps. Please click the Accept button to close the question.
Picture
autodoc_2000 -- Auto Service Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 916 Car Accepts
ASE Master Tech w/ Advance Engine Performance
Reply
September 2 11:01 PM (6 hours and 25 minutes and 53 seconds later)
         
Reply to autodoc_2000's Post: It became a starting issue Friday morning at 6AM.
Can I test one side of the fuse to ground to see if there is a short. Will it even show up on an ohmeter?I will look for any fuses that may look a little discolored or blown.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Think you can answer this question?
Login or Become an Expert

Related Answers

 

DISCLAIMER: You acknowledge that any information you may obtain from individuals you contact through use of the Just Answer service comes from those individuals, not from Just Answer!, and that Just Answer is not in any way responsible for any of the information these third parties may supply. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty and no representations are made regarding the qualification of an Expert. Responses and comments on Just Answer! are for general information and are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (such as medical, legal, investment or accounting) and do not establish a professional-client relationship. Just Answer! is not intended or designed to address EMERGENCY QUESTIONS which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals. Please carefully read the Terms of Service.

Just Answer! > Car Repair