95 TS 3.1 problem

[sailkisser]

I need some help if you please. Last week, everything was fine., well as fine as it can be on the van..went to dinner. When we came out and got in the van, the speedo, tach, a/c and power window stopped working. Also the ABS light and LFG light won't go off. And the door chime starting going off as soon as I turned on the headlights.

I replaced the alternator, and the battery cables. And then Iread that it may be the relay in the instrument cluster. Any ideas of where this relay is? The book (Haynes) doesn't really go into the instrument cluster.

Please, I am at my wits end...and I am broke...so can't afford a lot right now.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[sailkisser]

It also causes the battery to discharge.

Again, any help would be great!

Sailkisser

[LMP]

any feel that something in the ignition switch would have gone haywire? Other than this, a lot of weird possibilities exist, such as poor ground point at some place under carpet, as reported before....have you checked all fuses in the fuse compartment? There is no relay "in the instrument cluster" but some behind the glove compartment...but I cannot find any direct link from there....may be come with some more details as you can grab them...
www.avigex.ca/xport/instrumentpanel.jpg
www.avigex.ca/xport/instrumentpanel1.jpg
www.avigex.ca/xport/convenience_center.jpg
www.avigex.ca/xport/convenience_photo.jpg
www.avigex.ca/xport/powerdistribution.jpg

[sailkisser]

We will look there tomorrow when sun is shining...I know we were checking grounds under the hood today.

On one note...I had noticed last week prior to the gauges going haywire, that it seemed a little hard to turn the key in the ignition cylinder. Could this be the start of the problem?

We also tested all fuses with fuse tester...all seemed good. We have also cleaned contacts etc.

We will keep you updated...thanks for the diagrams!

Kristin

[LMP]

Originally Posted by sailkisser

On one note...I had noticed last week prior to the gauges going haywire, that it seemed a little hard to turn the key in the ignition cylinder.

Well that would go in the direction of my first impression...
ABout verifying the battery emptying problem, I'd disconnect the main battery post near the firewall/brake booster and then check with an ammeter the amount of sink current....then may be remove one fuse or relay one after the other to pinpoint the leak path...of course this path could be a consequence of the problem and not the cause, but it may confirm or deny an hypothesis...

[sailkisser]

new question...could a faulty vehicle speed sensor be causing this issue? This is the code that the ECM code reader finally came back with...did not give us a code until today.

Also cant get the ignition switch out...any suggestions?

Thanks again.

[sailkisser]

Thank you so much LMP...it was the ignition switch, but it wasn't a short, it was the slide switch in the electrical part being worn out and not making proper contact when the key was turned in the tumbler...but to be completely sure...had a friend who is mechanic check all wires...but without your help and thought process to help me...we would have been at a loss!

I have learned so much this last week and half!

Sailkisser