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Comments
On the way to work today my "service engine soon" light cameon and stayed on. What is this? Is it telling me its time for a tune up? :confuse:
If you just feel the pedal depress a little when you start up, that's okay, that's just the power brake booster kicking in. If the brakes work fine and feel fine after that, you're okay.
GT4 -- AXLE REAR, 3.73 RATIO
GT5 -- AXLE REAR, 4.10 RATIO
GU4 -- AXLE REAR, 3.08 RATIO
GU5 -- AXLE REAR, 3.23 RATIO
GU6 -- AXLE REAR, 3.42 RATIO
G80 -- AXLE REAR, LIMITED SLIP (POSITRACTION)
Most common in the small Blazer/Jimmy 2wd is the GU6/3.42.
Here's my problem: Every time I start the engine, the #4 fuse (gauges) blows out, the daytime running lights go out, the dash lights go out, and it drains the battery right down in no time.
Put a new alternator in today, new spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap and rotor, oil filter and oil changed. Apparently, none of those things helped at all, and it looks like it's an electrical problem, but I have absolutely NO idea of where to look for a short or wire damage first. Electrical is not our strong suit, but pretty handy with most other things and a quick learner.
Has anyone else had a similar problem or heard of anything like this? I would appreciate any help, because we're both stumped here and are running low on spare fuses. Please, please help! :sick:
don't know where to start.This has something to do with the surging I'm sure. Any ideas? Thank you guys! :confuse:
Actually, it turns out it wasn't the ignition switch after all. After hours of impotently tracing wiring, looking for that ever elusive wire short, I realized that it wasn't a shorted wire in some magical place. So after a few more hours of scouring the internet, I came to realize that it probably was related to what everyone else is having problems with... that damned electric/vacuum actuated 4 wheel drive that has caused Blazer owners everywhere nothing but headaches and empty wallets.
Here's what was actually causing my #4 Gauge fuse to blow.... The electrical plug that goes from the actuator to "that black cone shaped gizmo" (or "the donkey d!ck") on the front differential. I unplugged that wire thing, and no more blown fuses!
Now here's the part I don't understand though (and if anyone has an explanation, I'd be deeply ingratiated). I expected something with the 4-wheel to not work, once that plug is disconnected, but that's not the case (...yet). The lights on the 4x4 dash switch all work and correspond with whatever is engaged at the time. The 4hi and 4low seem to engage just fine when the buttons are pressed... I hear the "click" when I press one of the buttons, the actuator can be heard engaging the gears for the 4x4 button that was pressed, and in a nano-second, the second "click" can be heard inside the cab again, signaling that the 4x4 is now engaged. The 4x4 indicator lights on the dash stay lit (not reverting back to 2hi at all). Frankly, I'm scratching my head about it all. I guess if that pesky plug doesn't have any productive function (other than to blow fuses), I'll just wrap the ends up with some waterproof adhesive, zip tie the ends somewhere safe, and keep on truckin'.
Any advice on what the function of that plug is, or how could it go bad but the actuator itself still be okay, would be much appreciated!
I was hoping someone could give me a few quick tips on installing a new thermostat in my 02' Blazer. I would appreciatge any help! Thanks!
I have a 1995 Blazer 4X4 that is also blowing the #4 guage fuse. I read your post and am hoping that what you wrote will solve my problem. I am not sure exactly what the black cone shaped part is, or where it is located. Can you please email me with a picture, or a bepper location. Thanks in advance..
bradtown@everestkc.net
Original Problem: #4 (Gauges) Fuse would blow every time I started my '96 Blazer, daytime running lights would go out, alternator would get bypassed, car ran straight off of the battery... basically, I was going nowhere...
Incorrect Solution: Here are all the things I replaced in the hopes that it would solve my fuse blowing problem...But none of them were the correct solution!...alternator, ignition switch, 4WD actuator, shorted wire, loose ground wire, tumbler, etc. (NOTE: none of these were the "correct" solution to my problem, so if your #4 fuse is blowing every time you start your Blazer, I'd be willing to bet that replacing any of the afore mentioned parts won't solve your problem either.)
Solution: 4WD Indicator Light Switch (or at least that's it's the technical name GM has chosen for it). (OE# 15598481) It's related to the 4x4 system and is located on the "shift cable housing" (black cone shaped object that houses the cable that engages the 4x4 when the actuator is engaged by pressing the button on your dashboard). This Indicator Light Switch looks like an electric plug, and it is located right in the area of the front axle on the driver's side of the car. Actually, the switch is on the side of the cable housing, which is bolted (with 3 bolts, in a triangular base) to the front differential. Don't worry if that all sounds confusing, because I'm no expert in clear technical explanations. So instead, I've taken some alternative measures to help explain...
Here are some pictures that will hopefully help explain the location of said Indicator Light Switch better than any I attempt I can make using 1,000 words.....
(click on photo for larger size)
The above picture is what it all looks like when you lay down under the front of the car with your head facing the rear of the vehicle and your feet sticking out from the front. When you're under the middle of the car and under the front axle, turn your head left (towards the driver's side) and this is what you should see.
(click on photo for larger size)
The above picture is what it looks like from the front, looking towards the back of the car.
(click on photo for larger size)
And finally, the above picture is of the culprit itself. The nut is rusty in the picture because that's the old (broken) one I pulled out of my truck. If you'll notice on the other pictures, the nut is a shiny, new brass color. You'll need a 7/8" box wrench to loosen the sucker, but it's not tightened too much, as the cone it's attached to is made of plastic.
Bottom Line: $20 part, 10 minutes of work, and my Blazer is now fixed! And that's the entire story!
I'm hoping that anyone who has a similar problem in the future will find this post useful and will also avoid wasting hours of time trying to figure it out (like I did) and/or spending obscene amounts of money on a mechanic.
Good Luck & Keep on Truckin'!!
Leo and me
Thanks,
Jim
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
I should also add that although that solution was what worked for my particular problem, I realize that it's not an absolute solution for everyone who has a problem with their #4 Gauge fuse blowing when they start their Blazer. There are many circuits that lead to that particular fuse. I found a listing of which systems are linked to the #4 fuse in my Owner's Manual that came with my Blazer, but that's for my 1996 Blazer. I'm not sure about the other years.
Bradtown and I have been exchanging e-mails these past few days, in the hopes of being able to solve his problem with the #4 Gauge fuse blowing on his 1995 Blazer. I'm hoping he'll be able to post an update on what he's finally discovered was causing the problem in his truck. Needless to say, it wasn't the 4WD Indicator Light Switch that caused my problem. What he also discovered was that his '95 Blazer was wired up differently than my '96 Blazer, as far as where the 4WD Indicator Light Switch is actually located. On his '95, it's located closer to the passenger's side and actually on the front axle. So, it looks as though GM changed things around a bit just from that one year to the next. I can only imagine what other year's Blazers are like.
Again, I want to restate that the other post I made is only one possible solution to a fuse blowing problem. Naturally, it's always best to consult a repair manual for your specific year and model and follow your best judgment when solving the problem.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Also, the car battery dies at wierd times. The car may go for two day or three weeks without the battery dying but it will die at some point. It may start in the driveway but die at the store. It is not a complete death either. It will click the starter solenoid or the hood light may turn on but dim. We are not sure if the battery problem is part of the radio problem.
Any Ideas?
Al
Thanks.
The fuse for the rear parking lights and the gauge fuse are on different circuits, so it sounds like you've got two different problems. Firstly, it sounds like the rear parking light problem resulted from the truck being hit. I'd recommend tracing the wiring in the back to make sure that the wires going to the back lights aren't pinched or broken. If they're okay, one of the tail lights might have been damaged and needs to be replaced. That should solve that fuse blowing problem.
Now, onto the other problem with the gauge lights and 4x4 lights. Did you check the fuse to make sure that it's not blown as well? And the dashboard light adjustment is turned up to brighten the display? If that's all in order, you may have a wiring problem. Or your 4WD actuator might be the problem. Is your 4WD still engaging when you press the button for 4HI or 4LOW even though the lights don't show? It's really difficult to tell at that point. You'll just have to start testing the different systems that are related to the things that aren't working to track down what's causing the lights not to work. Unless the accident was bad enough to damage more than just the tail lights, the two problems will have two separate solutions.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Maybe you can give us some more information about the gauge lighting problem?
Good Luck,
leo & me
Do you know of anywhere online that might be able to hook me up with a wiring diagram?
About your 4WD, I'd recommend checking all of the vacuum hoses, especially the one going to the actuator (under the battery tray). If vacuum hoses are all on tight and not broken, my bet would be that the actuator itself is probably bad. Just pop out the battery & battery tray, and it's right under there. That's the most common problem with the these 4WDs.
Good luck & let us know how you do!
Thank you very much, the problem was indeed the actuator just rusted out like you wouldn't believe. THANK YOU AGAIN AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS...... This is a Fantastic site with GREAT people..
1996 Chevy Blazer Repair (Fuse blowing & 4WD Indicator Light Switch)
Thanks Leoandme!
that is more than likely the problem also check and replace any damaged vacuum hoses. good luck