Main IndexAuto Repair Home Search Posts SEARCH
POSTS
Who's Online WHO'S
ONLINE
Log in LOG
IN









Search Auto Parts

Car wiring issue


  Email This Post



MrGibbons
New User

Jun 30, 2013, 8:48 PM

Post #1 of 6 (1638 views)
Car wiring issue Sign In

2001
Chevrolet
Cavalier
2.2L
221,000 miles
2-door coupe
base trim
4-speed automatic

My car has been running fine, but recently had a freak wiring occurrence. One day all of a sudden my low and high beams and windshield wipers stopped working both of which happened at the same time, this lasted for an hour, they turned back on and they have been fine ever since, but i am trying to find out why this happened. When this happened the daytime running lights, turning signals, and running lights still worked even though the low and high beams didn't. and the windshield washer still worked even though the wiper motor did not. It seems like it may be a bad ground because both of these things went out then came back on at the same time, but i don't know where to begin looking.

(This post was edited by MrGibbons on Jul 15, 2013, 8:17 PM)


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jul 1, 2013, 3:09 AM

Post #2 of 6 (1584 views)
Re: Car wiring issue Sign In

You won't be able to troubleshoot anything as long as it's working properly.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 1, 2013, 4:09 AM

Post #3 of 6 (1580 views)
Re: Car wiring issue Sign In

As HT said testing while working isn't going to prove anything. I would look for existing ground straps or maybe even add one or two if out of harm's way won't hurt anything and cheap enough. Straps should be both to firewall and to probably radiator support metal from engine block? Waiting for that crap to happen no doubt in the dark while raining can't be any fun,

T



Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Jul 1, 2013, 10:09 AM

Post #4 of 6 (1552 views)
Re: Car wiring issue Sign In

You should check ground G102. The wiper motor and headlamp switch use that as a common ground. That ground connects to the body at the left rear of the engine compartment on the frame rail.

You should also check the ground at the battery neg cable that attaches to the battery tray. They are known to corroded and cause high resistance.

Even if they look good, remove them and clean them up using a wire brush or sandpaper. Make sure the surface they touch is clean and free of paint or rust.







Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jul 1, 2013, 10:11 AM)


MrGibbons
New User

Jul 1, 2013, 4:01 PM

Post #5 of 6 (1537 views)
Re: Car wiring issue Sign In

I just cleaned the ground on the battery tray, but i am having trouble finding the G102 ground.

EDIT: found it...
It is right underneath of the outer edge of the battery tray.

I cleaned the ground G102 off and will wait a week to see if this happens again and report back to this thread.

(This post was edited by MrGibbons on Jul 1, 2013, 7:03 PM)


MrGibbons
New User

Jul 12, 2013, 1:17 PM

Post #6 of 6 (1469 views)
Re: Car wiring issue Sign In

It has been about two weeks since I have cleaned the grounds on my car. I haven't had any issues since. I think cleaning the ground g102 solved my problem. Thank you!






  Email This Post
 
 


Feed Button




Search for (options) Privacy Sitemap