84 with multiple (?) problems

[aircat]

I hope you guys can help me here. I have a nice '84 that's bone stock with 56k orig. miles. The only thing I've ever had go wrong with it is the 4+3 which I had rebuilt at about 40k miles. It had been a daily driver and reliable until recently. First, the radio fuse kept blowing every time the driver's door was shut. Finally, I learned to live without the radio. Then, the overdrive kept dropping out of OD. I thought it was the switch because I could switch it back on and off several times and it would be ok for awhile. Now it is always off. I even learned to live with that. The car sat for several weeks without being driven and I was happy she started right up. I drove it for about 5 minutes and parked it to go to the store. When I came out I turned the key and ....nothing! I thought maybe the battery had suddnely died or the cables were bad. I wiggled the cables and I got a click at the starter but that was it. I push started it and got it home. Now, when I try to start it the digital dash is dark, I hear a faint click which sounds like it is in the dash behind the radio. But no start. I've tried this many times. On one occasion it started like nothing was wrong. I've tried jumping it, putting a large battery charger on it and still nothing. When I turn on the key sometimes the dash has crazy images all over it for a second. Also, the check engine light is on. Help!!!!!

[atmmac]

Damn sounds like a trip to the chevy dealer is in order! Thats a lot of aggravating little problems!

[RedRagTop]

Originally posted by atmmac
Damn sounds like a trip to the chevy dealer is in order! Thats a lot of aggravating little problems!

Easy! Christ, a dealer will eat him for lunch. Figure cost exceeding the purchase price of a good low-miles 88. Just hang on, someone should step in on this.
Do you have any other info? Codes? Meter readings? Battery condition? History?

[aircat]

Thanks RJS! I really haven't had the time or cooperating weather to work on this further. I believe the battery is ok, because the headlights are operational and very bright and occasionally it will actually beging to crank. I will try to get the battery out this weekend and have it tested. How do I see the codes?

[RedRagTop]

There is a way to use a bent paperclip but I just got my wrech to hook up the code reader to the outlet down by the left footwell under the dash. Gotta go, back in a bit

[JonM]

My first thoughs were a bad starter/selenoid or bad wires running to the starter including the ground. The starter wires are close to the exaust pipe and your car is 20 years old. The wire will get hard and brittle after a while. Also clean the terminals on the battery.