Simple project what could go wrong?

[spinner]

Or, why does my wagon hate me???

 

Hi guys and gals,

 

A little back history. I purchased in may a 1982 gl wagon. Nicely loaded with cruise (not working), a/c (not working compressors shot), and power windows (working thank god). When I bought it the previous owner said that the clutch was going and that the blower fan for the interior climate control was bad.

The clutch seems to be good but the car likes to rev at 2500 to 4000 rpm. Thought it was the cable but I was wrong more like the carb itself (the infamous carter/weber). So I figured while I made up my mind about what to do with the carb, I would takle the blower fan. Replaced it with a tested working one but no go. After reading the forms I discovered that there should be a fuse for it. Found the fuse but the holder had melted. Disconected the battery, replaced the holder and a new fuse. Also had to replace the negitive battery clamp as well as the old one couldn't clamp down on the terminal.

Now I have the battery hooked up, but no power to the cabin. Headlights work, hazzards work, and the horn works. No Interior lights, no warning lights on the dash. The fuses in the fuse box are good. And the fuses under the hood look to be good as well. What have I mangage to screw up this time?????

[78TurboBrat]

Is your car using the glass fuses, i know at times the clamps that hold the fuses get corroded and loose. try taking the clamps that hold the fuses and cleaning them with some sandpaper, and using needle nose pliers to squeeze them together some for a tighter fit

[tonon]

my parents had a 1983 wagon like yours, but i dont think it had any options. it might of had a tilt wheel. well, it sounds like you have your work cut out for you.

[mcbrat]

Ah... a '82 GL Wagon. I had one that had it's share of electrical problems. The horn and cruise did not work, along with losing the AC power, and power window circuit.

 

the wiring seems to get fairly brittle with age, and the little issues will keep popping up. get a good digital volt/ohm meter. The FSM wiring diagram is a necessary piece at this point too.

 

the ACC circuit which feeds the power windows, and stock volt meter, and turn signals, etc... is usually a problem point. you'll want to run a new power line from the battery, and use the original feed to the fuse box for the ACC section to flip the relay, and have the new wire feed the panel.

(if when your turn signals light, your volt meter goes up/down,you will definitely want to do this.)

 

For your current issue, by fuses under the hood, I'm assuming you mean the fusible links... even though they look okay, try replacing them.

[spinner]

Thanks everyone.

 

I tore into the dash earlier today just to check to see if I hadn't disconnected anything or if any of the wires had broken or burnt. Everything looked okay.

 

I had also extra checked everything under the hood. I looked at the fusable links and they did look kind of faded so I'll pick up replacements on monday.

 

This relay you mentioned McBrat, would this be under the dash next to the fuse box and the center lamp switch or would this be one of the three relays under the hood of the passenger side strut tower???

[TomRhere]

You may want to pull the fuseable link box loose from the inner-fender and actually check the connections underneath it. I had one break off on my '86. To look at it, looked ok, but it had serious corrosion problems there, and one feed had broke.

[Cougar]

Checking the fusible links is a real good idea. I would also recommend you get a test light probe to check for power with if you don't have one already. They are under $10 to buy one. With it, you will know if you have power to the suspect area or not. There may be a fue for the ACC's to check also.

 

To possibly get the cruise control working again you should check the switch for the brake pedal and see if that is adjusted ok. This is a common problem I think.