Please Help!!

[gstclips]

I have a 2000 Blazer ZR2, love it except that everytime i get close to fixing it something else breaks. PROBLEM:

Heater core went out so I drove it to my uncles place and we carefully removed the dash, center console, passenger tire, ECM unit, battery and everything that needed to be removed to get the heater core out. We got it all back together and now the dang thing wont run. NOTICE: I say run beacause it starts and runs for 1-2 sec before it dies.

What could this possibly be?? I am 99.999% sure that we connected everything back up correctly.

I have kinda narrowed it down to the ECM and maybe the compustar remote start system but everything worked fine before we started working on it an now it doesn't run.

ALSO the gauge cluster is being wierd as well...oil pressure needle spikes past the lettering and a few other gauges are acting goofy (just in the gauge cluster above the steering wheel), these symptoms did not exist prior to the heater core replacement either.

Please help what could this be??

[old_master]

The gauge spike is a clue. An open circuit will cause the gauges to go up. Look for a ground wire that did not get connected tightly. Possibly under the dash on the passenger side.

[gstclips]

this may be, however isn't there only one ground running to the gauge cluster?...wouldn't all gauges be malfunctioning? For example, lights come on and the P N D 1 2... screen displays, but the box that goes around them when you shift into the gear is non existant.

And could this effect the car running for >2 sec before "dying"? I know i have ran the vehicle with the gauge cluster disconnected and did not experience this problem.

P.S.
I read about bringing the vehicle to the dealership to reset something because it may have tripped a "Teft Tampering of the wires" while i was unplugging and plugging connectors.
the link to this article is:
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0f17ec

thank you for your quick reply, any ideas are much appriciated...as I have NO idea where to start looking to fix this mess

EDIT:

I see that you weren't refering to the actual ground running to the gauge cluster but maybe a ground somewhere else behind the dash....hmmm, any ideas where I could get a wiring diagram of all grounds behind the dash?

[old_master]

There is a ground connection, that involves the ground for several circuits, behind the dash on the right side. PM me with your email address and I will send you the wiring schematic for 2000 S/T body.

[gstclips]

Originally Posted by old_master

There is a ground connection, that involves the ground for several circuits, behind the dash on the right side. PM me with your email address and I will send you the wiring schematic for 2000 S/T body.

do you live anywhere near minneapolis minnesota? I can't figure it out, i pulled the dash out again and there is just nothing that I could have messed up back there. there is only like 7 connectors and we were very gentle pulling everything apart. Still fires and runs for 1 sec before it dies...

Anything else it could be? I am willing to pay to get it fixed, but not 100 dollars an hour with no garantee of them fixing the problem.

[old_master]

Sorry, I live just outside of Detroit. The Tigers are done for the season in Minneapolis, but the Twins come to Detroit on 09/24/07 for three games with the Tigers, maybe you can hitch a ride with them Is there possibly an alarm or security system of some sort on the vehicle? Is the remote start a factory option or an aftermarket add-on?

[gstclips]

it is an aftermarket add on (remote start-alarm) which didn't even work when i bought the vehicle, but I have disconnected it and the problem still exists, I talked to a tech at the chev dealership and he said it sounds like an ignition switch.
Im not saying it isn't possible, but i cant imagine that a ground or wire was disturbed enough to cause this.

I have only owned this vehicle for 11 days, and i purchased it through a reputable dealership. I reported them to the attorney general because they do not want to stand behind it and this is the 3rd "major" problem since i have purchased it.

I went to buy a winter car and they sell me a car with no heat...if they don't take it back (which i am 99.999% sure they wont), I have a feeling this will cost me a pretty penny.

P.S. The twins suck, I would rather not be seen with them haha

[old_master]

A very large percentage of the time when electrical problems surface, it's caused by an aftermarket accessory. It's possible that when the battery, (or any power supply to the unit) was disconnected, the unit re-set or malfunctioned in some way. Some alarm systems interrupt the fuel pump which requires the fuel pump wire to be cut. Other systems interrupt the ignition. Totally remove the unit, and all of it's wiring. Pay close attention to any wires that were cut, and solder them back together.

The ignition switch is not a common problem on 2000 and probably not causing your symptoms.

FYI, if it helps, the PCM will shut off the fuel pump after 2 seconds when the key is in the RUN position and no signal is received from the crankshaft position sensor.

[gstclips]

so it could maybe be the the crankshaft position sensor?

[old_master]

Could be the crank sensor or it's wiring to the PCM. It just sounds too coincidental though. I'd explore the remote start situation first.

[gstclips]

I just wanted to update, I finally gave up and brought it to the dealership (Damages $650 bux) could be worse...Anyways

If you take a look at:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...=368427&page=2

Where it says "Cut with Dremel" apparently there are wires under there, 14 of which my uncle cut when we removed the heater core box.

So that was that, now my 4 wheel drive doesn't engage. button for both auto, 4 Hi and 4 Lo Just flash when pressed...encoder motor, acuator??...I AM NEVER BUYING A CHeVY AGAIN!

First the heater core, then the stereo, then the 4 wheel drive....all in less than a month of owning it.

If anyone has any ideas what could cause the 4 wheel drive not to engage with these symptoms please enlighten me I dont feel like dropping another 650 bux on this thing.

[malkab]

Off topic, but yeah, I am 100% with you on never buying a chevrolet. They seem to build their vehicles to fail on purpose because they have so much invested into selling their parts at outrageous prices. I wouldn't mind seeing them go under if it wasn't for all the jobs some Americans would lose. Toyota has my money for now on, they seem to be the most reliable, and plenty of Americans are employed by Toyota, maybe more than Chevrolet since they have moved much if their operations over-seas now. Good luck.

Nice eclipse by the way. 265w-hp, that thing must be a thrill to drive around in.