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94 Cutlass Supreme electrical short?


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Alaina
New User

Aug 15, 2011, 4:17 AM

Post #1 of 7 (2263 views)
94 Cutlass Supreme electrical short? Sign In

1994 Cutlass Supreme DOHC 3.4L
140,000 miles

I had previously had other problems as well so what I've done to the car is this.
Replaced distributor cables, IAC and put in another computer. Brought it to shop and had two coil packs replaced. Put old computer back in and have reset it numerous times.

What I'm experiencing.
Random idiot lights come on. ie. Coolant, check engine, e break...
Blinkers worked 2 days ago. Over the course of last two days they stopped blinking but turned on, then blinked again, then off altogether and then went through the process again. Now they don't work at all. The battery fluctuates and when I go to start it the starter just clicks half the time.
I'm concerned it just won't start or the short will effect something really important.
Plus, arm signalling sucks.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 15, 2011, 9:05 AM

Post #2 of 7 (2236 views)
Re: 94 Cutlass Supreme electrical short? Sign In

Hmmm? This may be just a funky battery or the cables at it and all along the way to starter and engine block. If you are getting that rapid fire clicking the starter or connections even the wires themselves could be that issue. Plain low charge of battery can do that too.

Engine should crank even if other issues are going on so I begin with making it dependably crank,

T



rakestraw
Novice

Aug 15, 2011, 10:01 AM

Post #3 of 7 (2232 views)
Re: 94 Cutlass Supreme electrical short? Sign In


In Reply To
Hmmm? This may be just a funky battery or the cables at it and all along the way to starter and engine block. If you are getting that rapid fire clicking the starter or connections even the wires themselves could be that issue. Plain low charge of battery can do that too.

Engine should crank even if other issues are going on so I begin with making it dependably crank,

T



rakestraw
Novice

Aug 15, 2011, 10:09 AM

Post #4 of 7 (2228 views)
Re: 94 Cutlass Supreme electrical short? Sign In

I would triple check the battery ground wire.....


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 15, 2011, 10:46 AM

Post #5 of 7 (2224 views)
Re: 94 Cutlass Supreme electrical short? Sign In

Why just one? They are only as good as the weakest link,

T



rakestraw
Novice

Aug 15, 2011, 11:13 AM

Post #6 of 7 (2219 views)
Re: 94 Cutlass Supreme electrical short? Sign In

Based on the symptoms he described with the starter, it sounds like a bad ground to me.................


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 15, 2011, 12:25 PM

Post #7 of 7 (2213 views)
Re: 94 Cutlass Supreme electrical short? Sign In

With a known good battery the POS cable must be good there and I think this car uses a remote port as battery itself requires moving things to get at, itself.

Ground wire should go right to engine block and from there grounds the body metal thru straps around the car.

Poor or bad connection of any of them causes issues and without testing equipment you plain need to know every one of them is good. Heck, the main cables could be weak too among other things.

You can't know the weak spot by guessing but will say that many GM side post connections at battery are a trouble spot. You have to peel back the rubber (hard rubber) boots to really see what the eyelet looks like.

If nothing else just snug up on ground cable to engine block and see if there's a change. WD-40 these things helps make the connection(s) all around last longer before needing cleaning again,

T







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