Express, Savana & G-Series Vans Offered in both a full size van, or a large box truck, the Express is the modern GM workhorse.

Chevrolet Express
Platform: GMT Van

Head lights kill engine!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old October 14th, 2013, 9:51 PM
  #1  
CF Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
spaceblonde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Fritch TX
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Head lights kill engine!!

ok this is really strange ,, never had a issue till today !!! put new tires on it ,, they started it up backed it up was fine. I started it up put in drive fine. BUT when I pull out the headlight switch it died. Would not restart no headlights,pannel lights or parking lights. factory radio made noise but display wouldn't work.

Had tripple A tow it how ,, driver droped it off tried to start didn't I went to rool it down I figured what the hell tried again it started fine put in gear fine ,, turned on headlights died again.

When it acts up the service engine light will not come on neither willl the factory radio display. No headlights, parking lights of dome. cranks fine no fire.

could it be the ECM or the headlight switch or combo of both??


it is a 94 G20 chevy van cargo only option is AC and am/fm radio never had issues with lights before 5.7 350 V8 auto.
Old October 14th, 2013, 10:13 PM
  #2  
CF Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
spaceblonde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Fritch TX
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

it does have the flat 4 towing plug which I am going to check in the day light to see if it is grounding out
Old October 14th, 2013, 11:28 PM
  #3  
CF Veteran
 
canucklehead's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Pull all your lights and look for a short.
Old October 15th, 2013, 1:32 PM
  #4  
CF Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
spaceblonde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Fritch TX
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

replaced the switch and it is better ,, right now cleaning the neg cable contact
Old October 15th, 2013, 4:31 PM
  #5  
Administrator
 
in2pro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 7,581
Received 43 Likes on 43 Posts
Default

be sure to check the ground strap between the engine and body....
Also have your battery and alternator load tested...
Old October 15th, 2013, 4:40 PM
  #6  
CF Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
spaceblonde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Fritch TX
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

had battery and alt tested battery bad and alt ok so new battery and went ahead replaced both headlights with much better ones ,, now working on the whinshield washers
Old October 19th, 2013, 8:38 PM
  #7  
CF Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
spaceblonde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Fritch TX
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Well sat for a few days and did it again ,, cranks fine but if the dome lights do not come on ,, it wont start!! dome lights and headlights don't work and check engine light wont come on... gonna let it sit again and see if it cranks up again.
Was running started fine pulled out headlight switch and died .. now cranks no start no check engine light
Old November 12th, 2013, 4:33 PM
  #8  
CF Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
spaceblonde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Fritch TX
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

shiped it off to the mechanic ,, new fuel pump and relay drove it home and died again LOL not even a mile drive !!!
Old November 13th, 2013, 9:36 PM
  #9  
CF Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
spaceblonde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Fritch TX
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks ended up being a wire behind the battery !! at least all they charged me for was the fuel pump and relay ,, but it is a GM so new fuel pump is never a bad thing LOL
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DOBERDEWD
Tahoe & Suburban
3
December 11th, 2011 11:35 PM
GeneInTexas
Silverado, Sierra & Fullsize Pick-ups
2
June 21st, 2008 11:33 PM
bimmerborn
Tahoe & Suburban
5
February 11th, 2008 1:54 PM
atm0001
Tahoe & Suburban
3
June 23rd, 2007 1:50 PM
RedE2go
Silverado, Sierra & Fullsize Pick-ups
0
September 14th, 2006 2:30 AM



Quick Reply: Head lights kill engine!!



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 2:48 PM.