97' Astro with Mind numbing electrical problems!

[j1budo]

As silly as this sounds, I have the same year van and I have the same exact problem I traced it out to possibly the ignition switch but I can not confirm. I don't have time to mess with it now that the dash is totally dead so Tomorrow, I get to bring it to a dealer for a look see.

Brought to a dealer and they just want to swap out the PCM, VCM and Dash Module and then see if it still does the same thing. Not worth the 6k to do that. Anyone have suggestions, I combed over most of the electrical so far and I will be diving into the dash and under dash tonight.

Thanks
Jeremy



Quote:
Originally Posted by jt22blue
I have a 97 Astro van that has a intermittent electrical problem with the speedometer and the guages in the instriment panell Temp,oil,fuel etc. also the blinkers won't work when the short happens. it started a couple of months ago when the guages would go out for a few seconds then come back on every couple of weeks now they are off more then they are on. Where would I start looking for the problem? Thanks

[Blue Bowtie]

If the rest of the accessories work with the ignition switch on. I'd suggest checking the electrical connectors at the corners of the instrument cluster.

[j1budo]

Well, My problem has been solved. I saved 6K by not bringing it to the dealer and the fix actually cost me nothing but time and a lot of it I must say. thanks to a GM Master Mechanic in VA named Chris (friend of the family) he supplied me with some key information that may help others. As User Bpotts stated in a post named "1997 Astro Van Electrical Problems" dated 1-21-04, Terminal C2 on the C100 terminal block was the problem. My terminal was not burnt or damaged in an obvious physical way but here is some additional information for you.

The C100 Terminal Block is located Behind the battery. There is a cover that is easily removed and you will see a terminal that can be removed with a T30 Bit and next to it, a block (really a pass through) with wires and clear sticky goo. The Block with the T30 bit is the C100 Block and Terminal C2 is the black wire (on my vehicle) and you can see some mold markings on the pin side of the block A,B,C,D and 1, 2, 3, etc... (Middle Row, 2nd down from top).
My problem was not the male pin but the female part. This pin is very small and so is the female part. The female spring contactor was broke off and explains why it was in intermitent problem till I removed the plug and took most likely removed the loose piece of terminal with it. I used a copper washer and cut it down to a very small 1/8 x 1/16", stuffed it in the hole, bent the male pin a little and voila, works fine.

Good luck on your adventure and thanks again to all the others that posted similar material and specially to user Bpotts.

Jeremy Lembo
Sarasota, Florida

[Blue Bowtie]

Oh, you mean like this?



Glad you found it.