84 S10 Electrical problem

Not for the faint of heart. Here is my problem:
Gas gauge won't register, no cluster lights, both turn signal indicators lit, high beam indicator on. Open the door and turn light switch to turn on inside lights and everything works right. Close the door and back to ground zero.

All fuses good....this started suddenly with no pre-indications of a failure Anybody help ???????????

sounds like a short either in the door jamb switch, and/or the headlight-rheostat switch.
try driving around in an empty parking lot with the door ajar.
does everything still work, or once ignition starts, is it just like door closed and ZERO?
if that isn't it, work to opening the dash cover for the headlight/instrumentation dimmer and pull it and then re-check.

both these components light in monetary value, and relatively easy to swap out.

in neither of these items are it, could be your multi-function switch (turn/hi-beam/wiper) armature in the steering column, or a loose ground in the dash...

hope this helps,
chris
nrt racing

Was the ground wire from frame to the light switch..broke inside the splice not making connection. thanks

Was the ground wire from frame to the light switch..broke inside the splice not making connection. thanks

glad it was the easy AND inexpensive thing, not a toated wiring harness

(like the '95 at my shop currently; the lady broke the hazard button on column, and flashers wouldn't shut off, and a piece of the button fell into the column, and jambed and locked the horn ON!!!-
-so her friend, bubba, the backyard mechanic drilled a 3" self-drilling deck screw into the multi-function switch and column wiring)
needless to say her horn shut-off, as well as MANY other things.

glad to hear the S10 is still going.
chris

I seem to have the same problem. Light switch on, dimmer switch being used (not in the interior light on mode), door open and I get both turn signals on and if the high beam is turned off the high beam light will also be on. If I put the high beam on the indicator light will go off.Also the dash "illumination" lights are not on. Now if I roll the dimmer rheostat to click to the interior light "on" position, the turn signals and the beam indicator go off and everything runs as normal and now my dash lights work(Door open). Now if I close the door I go back to the same problem. This is all with the key off. Key on same thing. If I turn the ignition on and use the dimmer rheostat I can control the temp guage. Sounds like fun? Would it be possible to get a rough location of this ground splice you found? Much appreciated.
My experience on electrical. If it doesn't make sense its a ground problem.

I seem to have the same problem. Light switch on, dimmer switch being used (not in the interior light on mode), door open and I get both turn signals on and if the high beam is turned off the high beam light will also be on. If I put the high beam on the indicator light will go off.Also the dash "illumination" lights are not on. Now if I roll the dimmer rheostat to click to the interior light "on" position, the turn signals and the beam indicator go off and everything runs as normal and now my dash lights work(Door open). Now if I close the door I go back to the same problem. This is all with the key off. Key on same thing. If I turn the ignition on and use the dimmer rheostat I can control the temp guage. Sounds like fun? Would it be possible to get a rough location of this ground splice you found? Much appreciated.
My experience on electrical. If it doesn't make sense its a ground problem.
Hey, don't claim to be an expert but I always found it better to start from the begining(when it first started). Was u working on it???

My nephew brought it over, said it just happened. Lots of miles on this one. Next time he comes over I will guide him into looking and testing for the grounds.