Electrical all screwed up

[anschris]

I purchased a 1990 Buick LeSabre a year and a half ago and resold it to my parents. It has over 200K miles on it and the engine is still going strong. However, it has developed, over a very short period of time, an electrical bug.

It is very erratic and strange. I had removed the factory stereo in an attempt to install something with a CD player for my wife when we thought we would keep it. I was marginally successful using an adapter that I bought online to make a standard stereo match power output and such for the speakers (one of those pre-amp POS's).

Anyway, ever since, the electrical has been funny. I lost the original stereo. (Don't know how I managed that one.)

I will try to explain what is happening. Here seems to be the most common scenario....

With the dimmer switch in the down position all the way, the dashboard electronics work when driving the car. When we turn off the car, and open the driver door, the blower on the heater starts running. Upon closing the door again, the fan stops. This is how we have to leave it overnight to avoid battery draining from the fan. However, the windows (electric of course) will not roll down when the dimmer is in the lower position. If we move the dimmer up, different things will happen. Fan comes on, but the temp control panel does not work, lights come on or go off or we get a strange buzz from the right side near the glove box.

The windows will only roll up and down when the driver door is either open or the dimmer switch is all the way up.

So, now, can anyone tell me what I should do. I think I have found a replacement stereo for it, but they want $75 for it and I don't want to spend the money if I don't have to.

Is there a computer that might be screwed up that I need to switch out?

Thanks!

[Flatrater]

All your troubles are caused by one thing which is a loose ground wire! Everything is backfeeding thru your dimmer switch. Find your loose ground and your problem will be fixed.

[RABarrett]

I do not fully agree with the assessment of the moderator here. After about 1988, many vehicles, including yours used the factory radio as a means of communication with the BCM or Body Control Module. If the communication link is interrupted, the BCM may do some cute, irritating things. It may be necessary to locate a replacement unit, or determine the necessary message the system is seeking to erradicate the problem. Ray