1987 GMC VanDura Starcraft(?) - CarForum.net - Car Forums, Automotive News and Community

legoman786 · 08-12-2012, 05:36 PM

My buddy bought an 87 GMC VanDura which we killed the lighting for (by accident) the gauge cluster and the climate control.

We don't know if it's a fuse, fried wiring (it was in really good condition when we pulled the dash off), or something else.

Somebody wanna put in their 2 cents?

Mr Car Guy · 08-12-2012, 06:51 PM

So you haven't checked fuses? That is the most likely thing

**lautinjr** · 08-12-2012, 11:04 PM

Mr car guy I tried to kill my phone thanks to you

Mr Car Guy · 08-13-2012, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lautinjr

Mr car guy I tried to kill my phone thanks to you

You're welcome,... I think

legoman786 · 08-13-2012, 12:07 PM

There was a thick black fiber optic cable that we accidentally cut (not running the stock head unit), what did that do?

Mr Car Guy · 08-13-2012, 01:03 PM

That old van swill not have a fiber optic cable, but it will have an antenna coax to the deck/radio, but that won't affect the instrument lighting.

Check for power coming out of the headlight switch. You will have power to the headlights in the full on, and only to the dash and park lights in the 1st position. The dash lights will be the only dimmable output. The dash lighting is powered by the dimmer section of the switch. The dimmers are known to be an issue, intermittent and can burn out if shorted.

So if you can't get a dimmable output the dimmer section is not working and the switch needs to be replaced.

legoman786 · 08-13-2012, 02:18 PM

It's a fiber optic cable. Researching on Google confirmed other late 80's GMC G-Series had them.

My buddy is on a tight time crunch and has to wait till the sun goes down to work on it (too tall for garage, and 100+ F during most days).

Mr Car Guy · 08-13-2012, 02:49 PM

New to me. My old 01 GMC didn't have any such thing.

Raptor22 · 08-13-2012, 06:51 PM

If you need any parts or diagrams or anything call me at 530-343-4444, Wittmeier Chevrolet Parts Department, ask for Conner.

Conner.

legoman786 · 08-13-2012, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptor22

If you need any parts or diagrams or anything call me at 530-343-4444, Wittmeier Chevrolet Parts Department, ask for Conner.

Conner.

Definitely.

I'll let you guys know if there's any updates.

He's driving out to the middle of the Nevada desert for a week. The lighting in the gauge cluster is kinda needed. :\

08-12-2012, 05:36 PM	#1
legoman786 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 571 Rep: 15	1987 GMC VanDura Starcraft(?) My buddy bought an 87 GMC VanDura which we killed the lighting for (by accident) the gauge cluster and the climate control. We don't know if it's a fuse, fried wiring (it was in really good condition when we pulled the dash off), or something else. Somebody wanna put in their 2 cents? __________________ 2005 Chevy Aveo. Wife needed a car. Bleh.

08-12-2012, 06:51 PM	#2
Mr Car Guy Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Surrey, BC, Canada Posts: 1,461 Rep: 160	So you haven't checked fuses? That is the most likely thing __________________ 1999 AWD Jimmy 1995 AWD Jimmy - RIP, 1989 AWD Jimmy - RIP I try to learn from other peoples mistakes that I gave advice to.

08-12-2012, 11:04 PM	#3
lautinjr Now accepting bribes. Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Currently Las Vegas Posts: 4,019 Rep: 191	Mr car guy I tried to kill my phone thanks to you __________________ Please help reduce our mini van population and wear condoms!

08-13-2012, 12:07 PM	#5
legoman786 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 571 Rep: 15	There was a thick black fiber optic cable that we accidentally cut (not running the stock head unit), what did that do? __________________ 2005 Chevy Aveo. Wife needed a car. Bleh.

08-13-2012, 01:03 PM	#6
Mr Car Guy Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Surrey, BC, Canada Posts: 1,461 Rep: 160	That old van swill not have a fiber optic cable, but it will have an antenna coax to the deck/radio, but that won't affect the instrument lighting. Check for power coming out of the headlight switch. You will have power to the headlights in the full on, and only to the dash and park lights in the 1st position. The dash lights will be the only dimmable output. The dash lighting is powered by the dimmer section of the switch. The dimmers are known to be an issue, intermittent and can burn out if shorted. So if you can't get a dimmable output the dimmer section is not working and the switch needs to be replaced. __________________ 1999 AWD Jimmy 1995 AWD Jimmy - RIP, 1989 AWD Jimmy - RIP I try to learn from other peoples mistakes that I gave advice to.

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1987 GMC VanDura Starcraft(?)

08-13-2012, 02:18 PM	#7
legoman786 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 571 Rep: 15	It's a fiber optic cable. Researching on Google confirmed other late 80's GMC G-Series had them. My buddy is on a tight time crunch and has to wait till the sun goes down to work on it (too tall for garage, and 100+ F during most days). __________________ 2005 Chevy Aveo. Wife needed a car. Bleh.

08-13-2012, 02:49 PM	#8
Mr Car Guy Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Surrey, BC, Canada Posts: 1,461 Rep: 160	New to me. My old 01 GMC didn't have any such thing. __________________ 1999 AWD Jimmy 1995 AWD Jimmy - RIP, 1989 AWD Jimmy - RIP I try to learn from other peoples mistakes that I gave advice to.