blowing gauges fuse...please help

[malletslinger]

By the way, I just won an extra computer for my camaro on ebay, there hasnt been a 2.8 v6 at my uncles salvage yard since I got my camaro.
With all the electricle shorts, I thought it might be a good precaution since the computers are sensitive to begin with.
O could the problem be the computer?

I am very grateful for all the help you have been giving me wrightz28, it realy helps to have another perspective.

[wrightz28]

No prob.

Now, since disconnecting a wire changed the conditionthat it occurs, then we're on to something. Yes, if it didn't start after disconnecting, then you grabbed the thicker s/b red wire which is battery power to the coil and thus you had no spark. I'm wondering if there's some crud up in the connector right there, disconnect the other one an dtry again.

[wrightz28]

Alright, I backed up and reread some stuff here. I'm not sure how the Torque converter clutch operation is set up, I believe it is matched off RPM for so long then the ECM engages the lockup function on the trans (fuel mileage). You said you detatiled the car? Did this include a pressure wash spraying under the car?

[wrightz28]

OK STOP!

i looked up a wiring diagram, the VSS (vehicle speed sensor) is on the fuse!!! Also the audio alarm assembly (key buzzer). Even more oddly sharing the cicruit is the MAF relay, you mentioned the problem started since the weekend you worked on the MAF? I'm trying to upload the diagram.

edit-upload not working, i'm around for another half hour, IM your e-mail and Ill send it off to you.

[wrightz28]

figured it out?

[malletslinger]

i looked up a wiring diagram, the VSS (vehicle speed sensor) is on the fuse!!! Also the audio alarm assembly (key buzzer). Even more oddly sharing the cicruit is the MAF relay, you mentioned the problem started since the weekend you worked on the MAF? I'm trying to upload the diagram.

edit-upload not working, i'm around for another half hour, IM your e-mail and Ill send it off to you.[/quote]

No...I havent found it yet, but I have crossed a few more possibilities off the list.
I know it isnt the MAF, or its relay, the fuse still blew when those were disconnected.
The VSS? Is that a problem?
My email is my user name, just add @yahoo.com
I think the Key buzzer is also wired into the headlight circuit because when the gauges fuse is blown, and the headlights are on, the key buzzer sounds continuously.
I cleaned the electricle connections on the coil, no differrence.
I dont think that a delay in the short means we are getting closer, because I am leaving various things disconnected so I can check them off as not being the cause of the problem, so there is less strain on the fuse, I think thats why the fuse goes, the short must be drawing more and more power as time goes on, and eventually it is pulling too much and blows the fuse.
So I can disconnect everything that is supposed to draw power from the fuse and it will still blow, it will just take a little longer.
I never did get around to pressure washing the underbody that day...ran out of daylight.
Where is the VSS located?

[malletslinger]

I cleaned the electricle connections on some relays in the engine compartment...no difference.
I repaired a ground that a rat had chewed halfway through...no difference.
I tried insulting my car...no difference.
I dont know how much more of this I can take

[malletslinger]

My uncle is going to try and help me find the problem but I need to wait till he has time...Il post our results after we figure out what is going on, but it could be as long as a week and a half until he has time to help me, so if anyone has any ideas in that time, Il try 'em, if not...then we will see...

[Morley]

The EGR solenoid is also on that circuit. I had a short at the connector for the solenoid that kept blowing my ins fuse. I cut the power wire going to the connector to verify that it was the problem, then got a new connector and spliced it in.

[wrightz28]

Yeah, there's a lot of stuff on that fuse. I got curious when I noticed the MAF was there and you were just working on it. Morley's idea is about the only way I can think, one by one elimate as many circuits as possible until the excess amperage is gone.

The diagram I sent you i downloaded a long time ago, not sure from where, there's a link off thirdgen.org for diagrams and autozone online under repair manuals sometimes has some but they are pretty basic.

[malletslinger]

How should I go about checking the EGR solenoid?

[Morley]

Originally Posted by malletslinger

How should I go about checking the EGR solenoid?

It isn't the solenoid itself, but the connector for it on the harness shorting internally. If you have a weather pack pin extractor, disconnect the solenoid, find the power wire (pink I think) and remove the pin from the connector. Try another ins fuse and take it for a spin. If it doesn't blow, you've found it.

[malletslinger]

Originally Posted by Morley

It isn't the solenoid itself, but the connector for it on the harness shorting internally...find the power wire (pink I think)

Disconnected to connecter and cut the Pink/black wire...that wasnt the problem
Now I need to go fix that wire.
Anymore ideas?
Anyone?

[wrightz28]

Did you ever look into the VSS (vehicle spped sensor)? Since it only does it a certain point of operation. Grounds on the back of the cylinder heads are clean an tight?

There was no way to adjust the size of the diargram? That would really be of help I think.

[malletslinger]

Actually I forgot to ask about that...Is the sensor in my camaro(89) supossed to be mounted on the tranny or incorporated into the cluster(little yellow box mounted on back)?
If its on the tranny, then I havnt checked it yet.
Adjusting size of diagram didnt help, but was kind of able to guess what it said.