Envy Of Those Who Can Do

[4oldsmobiles64]

As now owner and seller of a 88 Cutlass Supreme Classic, 79 Hurst Olds - 86 442 and now a 1980 442.
Envy those who can do most everything. Not talking about rebuilding an engine just little things.
My 1980 442
Clock doesn't work - did though when I bought the car - fuse is good and plug up is good - don't know why it don't work now.
Cruise control doesn't work - I'm sure it's a vacuum line issue as the engine is a 350 rebuild out of a 70 Cutlass
When I get the dash lights to come on at night with the light knob - the tach then doesn't work.
Sometimes the speedometer doesn't work - most of the time it does. Have brand new cables from transmission to the cruise control and one to the dash.
The power window on the passenger side goes down with the switch on the driver door panel but doesn't go up - have to use the switch on the passenger
side to roll it up. All wiring is there and looks good.
The power door locks don't work - same thing -all wiring is there and plugged in.
Just venting I guess and am envy of those who can figure things out

 

[Streetbu]

We were all there at some point. Sometimes you just have to dive in head first and start learning. I don't mean rebuilding an engine right away, but fixing your power window issue should be a fairly straightforward job to diagnose and repair.

 

[fleming442]

If you were Mid-Atlantic, I could help ya out.

 

[64nailhead]

One thing at a time. The dash lights, the speedo, the power window, the cruise control and the clock are most likely all separate issues.

I agree that the windows and door locks should be pretty straight forward with some basic tools and a little time to pull the panels and test some items. A sub $100 multimeter and test light will go a looooong way.

 

[Ribbedroof]

An OE shop manual is very valuable for issues like these, as they generally have the circuit info, and often a troubleshooting flow chart.

IMO

 

[565bbchevy]

I think I started with engines mostly and then leaned to do everything else so I guess I am kind of backwards but I have always had a need for speed.

 

[Streetbu]

Believe it or not, the multimeters from Harbor Freight are actually really nice. Get this one and you'll probably never need another one for the rest of your life.

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

 

[quartertonfun83]

Many electrical problems are the result of old chassis grounds losing their conductivity. You could try cleaning up the corrosion and re-attaching the grounds on the circuits causing problems. As other posters said, a multimeter and a wiring schematic help in chasing wiring issues.

 

[64nailhead]

Believe it or not, the multimeters from Harbor Freight are actually really nice. Get this one and you'll probably never need another one for the rest of your life.

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

Amazon.com: Actron CP7677 AutoTroubleShooter - Digital Multimeter and Engine Analyzer for Automotive Professionals, Orange: Automotive

Buy Actron CP7677 AutoTroubleShooter - Digital Multimeter and Engine Analyzer for Automotive Professionals, Orange: Multimeters & Analyzers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

This my go to unit because it does......cough, cough......dwell. Yes it will measure dwell on a point style ignition and it's also a functional tachometer. Hard to believe that the guy that preaches EFI to everyone chose a multimeter because of it dwell measuring capabilities.

My '64 Nailhead has points.