a couple of minor problems with an 86

86 suburban, 2wd, 350 4bbl...runs great, 104K miles,

Engine has recently started running on after turned off, just started this last week...also this morning, choke light came on and stayed on, drove about 50 miles and the light remained on the entire time. The run on knock doesn't happen every time, maybe got some bad gas.

Volt meter is now also dead. Vehicle starts and runs fine otherwise.

Choke+ volt guage problem related?

Thanks

Run on is called dieseling and tells you that your putting fuel into the intake manifold even after you kill the key on a hot engine. Could be from bad gas, mis-adjusted or malfunctioning choke on carb, mis-adjusted ignition timing.
Volt meter problem will require pull instrument panel and see if you're getting voltage to meter. If so, I've seen a web site called fix a gauge that supposed to have a cheap fix for oem GM gauges. I don't know if they work or not. LMC truck will probably have a GM gauge for around $50.00.
If you're not getting voltage to your gauge, post back and I'll see if I can furnish a trouble shoot guide for you.

Ended up replacing a blown fuse, choke light went out, volt meter is working again, haven't had any dieseling lately. Go figure

Back again, replaced that 20 amp fuse about 6 weeks ago, it blew again sat. morning, all guages except speedometer not working, choke light on again, no dieseling though.

Replaced the fuse, it blew again on sunday morning, that time, volt meter went out, oil pressure and fuel guage were ok.

Replaced the fuse again, bought some more.

Anyone have any ideas as to the likely culprit?

Thanks

Start by tracing your wiring and look for where it's going to ground. Could be a break in the wire but more than likely a worn spot on a truck that old. If you can't find the short to ground, it's in an item on the circuit.
You need to figure out every item on that circuit and remove them all but one at a time to find out what is causing the failure.

Took it in, ended up being a wire that connects to a solenoid for the accelerator pump. The pump is supposed to close once the engine warms up, supposedly makes the engine burn leaner. The mechanic ended up disconnecting the wire, said could probably never find a new solenoid other than to purchase a rebuilt carb.

Gauges all work again, choke light is out, truck runs fine.

reliant2, I'm the original owner of an 86 Suburban that has over 215,000 miles, I drive it every day and it's still going strong. Other than rebuilding the automatic transmission, which was just worn out, it's only need a little more than preventive maintenace. Mechanically it's very sound, cosmetically it needs a face lift. There's lots of little odds and ends that need to be fixed, but I think I'm going to hang on to it and maybe restore it? If you're planning to keep yours for the foreseeable future, drop an e-mail to me, maybe we can compare notes?