Having some electrical problems

[j_miles]

having some crazy electrical issuse thats gots me puzzled. please help w/ this one.

I'm thinking their might be a short somewhere? I'm just not sure, over the week it pop a fuse the RAP so I replace it 40amp, but still having the same issuse, no power to heater controls, wiper, windows, gas and temp gage is out, and the real weird one is the gear display only turns on when the key is on the frist two poisition once I turn it over it disappares (runs great). I've check my fusible links those look ok, double check all my other fuse those look good. greatly appreciate any help thats given, thanks.

[astro355]

Hello,

the first thing I would look at is the ignition switch. Smell it and look for any burns or shorts in the wiring.

I would remove that 40 amp fuse and replace it with the original rated one. The entire circuit is designed around a certain amperage and by using a larger fuse, you can damage something else.

[StriperSS]

Putting in a bigger fuse could lead to a car fire. I agree it sounds like an ignition switch.

[j_miles]

Alright thanks, I'll check my ignition switch, where exactly is the ignition switch at? The 40amp fuse was what was in there that blown. What size fuse is need in there for RAP?

Thanks to everyone

[astro355]

Do you have some aftermarket stuff in your van? RAP is for retained accessory power and in no way should it be blowing a 40 amp fuse. Removing that fuse will not affect the operation of your van while running. If you remove that fuse, do you still have the same problems.

[StriperSS]

That's a good question. What electrical things have been added to your van? Remote starter, alarm, stereo? Any of these, imprperly added can cause major headaches.
The ignition switch is where the key goes, in the column.

[j_miles]

I do, alpine stereo deck... I removed the dog house last weekend to do a tuneup. Now I'm wondering if something shorting at the stereo. Thanks again

[astro355]

Possibly. The RAP fuse would control stuff like an alarm, power door locks, power door windows, power seats, etc. Absolutely nothing that would pop a 40 amp fuse. Did this problem start after you did the tune-up? Maybe something didn't go in the right spot when you put the doghouse back on. That's definitely worth a look. Hopefully its nothing permanent.

[j_miles]

Same problems with the fuse in or out.
Thanks...I thought that's where the ignition switch was.

[j_miles]

Yeah, it was after I did the tuneup

[astro355]

The ignition switch is not were you put the key. That is the ignition cylinder. The ignition cylinder is connected to the ignition switch by a rod that travels thru the steering column. The ignition switch lives at the end of that rod on top of the steering column under the dash.

[j_miles]

Just wanting to give everyone a much need update: I apologize that I wasn't able to post this sooner, but been offline for to long...

anyways;
turns out that it was my ignition switch. Back in I think March I when to my local wrecking yard and pulled out a stering column for another astro. Swap the the switches, and everything back to working again...plus my window switch was partly disconnected...and still needing to be replaced, because it looks kind of brunted up but it still working. again thank you to everyone on this forum that help me out with info I was needing. this is a great site!

[astroturf]

Thanks for the update.

Glad it worked out for you.

Jim

[brand121]

Just wanted to ask a quick question here too... I am having a few electrical problems with my 98. My doors will not unlock, you can hear them try, but, they don't actually unlock. My back glass on the dutch doors will unlock, but won't open. Also, my windows will go down about 2-3 inches , then stop, if you let it sit for a few minutes, they will go down another 2-3 inches. I have checked all of the fuses and relays and all seem to be good. Was wondering if the ignition switch could possilby be causing this too. I kinda thought of it before I got on here and this thread makes me a little more curious. Thanks in advance for any help.

[astroturf]

Just wanted to ask a quick question here too... I am having a few electrical problems with my 98. My doors will not unlock, you can hear them try, but, they don't actually unlock. My back glass on the dutch doors will unlock, but won't open. Also, my windows will go down about 2-3 inches , then stop, if you let it sit for a few minutes, they will go down another 2-3 inches. I have checked all of the fuses and relays and all seem to be good. Was wondering if the ignition switch could possilby be causing this too. I kinda thought of it before I got on here and this thread makes me a little more curious. Thanks in advance for any help.

Brand,

Tough first post. Welcome Aboard.

Pull the door panels and inspect the wiring in the door jam area.

Again, Welcome Aboard, Jim

[RECox286]

My back glass on the dutch doors will unlock, but won't open

The power lock actuates two rods, each rod goes to a latch on the sides of the rear hatch. One of the rods may have come off of the lever in the center of the door. Take the pull down handle off and have a look see.

Bob

[ELDORADOV8]

That's a good question. What electrical things have been added to your van? Remote starter, alarm, stereo? Any of these, imprperly added can cause major headaches.
The ignition switch is where the key goes, in the column.

I wish i had hear your advice before. I put an aftermarket cigarette lighter, after trying to use it with one cig, a fire begins inside my van, it was a real nightmare, hopefully was extinguished. Had to disassemble the entire panels and dash to find the short caused by a greater cigarrete Amper and chinesse fuse. never again!!