Chevy & GMC Vans

Seems my van is being a weirdo. What's happening is I have no audio from the stereo but it's still on while in the run position. Then if I tweak the key forward a touch between run and start I suddenly get sound at full volume and all my idiot lights come on as well. Also when I try to turn off the van the stereo stays on and I get audio in the Lock position but If I go to acc I don't have any audio. If I slam the key back against the stop in acc then I can turn it forward and the stereo will go off when I lock it.

A buddy of mine was telling me it's because of the amount of keys on my key ring and that I need to replace the ign switch because the weight of the keys caused part of it to break and that it's a very common problem with GM vehicles. Now he isn't a very mechanical person so I figured I would double check with you guys. Does that sound right? and if so what part do I need exactly? I looked and I can find the ign switch which appears to be just the lock itself. There is also an IGN switch / start listed which appears to mostly be a wiring harness and also very not cheap.

sounds like worn out contacts inside the ign assy , sorry about your bad luck , the one thing i hate is pulling a steering column apart .

a somewhat simple test would be to pull off your steering column cover and use a test light to find out which wire is which coming from the ignition. after you have identified the wires jump the power from the 12V to the run wires without using the ignition, if everything works proper it is most likely your ignition, if it is still malfunctioning it is somewhere else... these delco radios have some very odd problems sometimes... I might try unplugging the radio itself and see if any other problems persist... if it is not in the radio or the ignition I would investigate the BCM... we used to sell alot of them when I worked at GM.. it was the diagnosis of many of the electrical warranty problems around 2000, 2001

You wouldn't happen to have a wiring diagram and know how to remove the cover would ya? LOL

I usually avoid the steering column at all costs so I haven't learned much about everything in there yet.

tbhager94 wrote:sounds like worn out contacts inside the ign assy , sorry about your bad luck , the one thing i hate is pulling a steering column apart .

Ya it just randomly started happening over night. I'm worried about the pass lock if I replace it

here is the info for a '99

look here for other info

http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/vehicles.html

1999 Chevrolet Astro Alarm, Remote Starter, Keyless Entry Wiring Information


Constant 12V+ Red (2) Ignition Switch Harness
Starter Yellow Ignition Switch Harness
Ignition Pink Ignition Switch Harness
Ignition 2 Brown Ignition Switch Harness
Ignition 3 White Transmission, Ignition Switch Harness
Accessory Orange Ignition Switch Harness (Heat/AC)
Tach White ECM behind Battery
Brake Switch White Brake Switch
Trunk Release Green (-) Switch in Driver's Kick Panel
Trunk Pin n/a Works with Dome Light
Parking Lights Brown (+) In White Junction Connector at Firewall
Head Lamp Yellow (+) Light Switch
Factory Disarm Light Green (-) Driver's Kick Panel
Door Trigger Purple (-) In White Junction Connector at Firewall
Door Lock Light Blue (+) Driver's Door Boot or at OEM Relays PASS
Door Unlock White (+) Kick Positive Trigger
Driver's Lock Gray Left Kick Panel
Driver's Unlock Tan Left Kick Panel
Passenger Unlock White Left Kick Panel
Horn Wire Black (-) Steering Column
Windows Up LF=Dark Blue, RF=Blue/White
Windows Down LF=Brown, RF=Tan




1999 Chevrolet Astro Stereo Wiring


Constant 12V+ Orange
Switched 12V+ Yellow
Ground Black
Illumination Gray
Dimmer Brown
Antenna Right Front
Front Speakers 6 1/2" Doors
Left Front (+) Tan
Left Front (-) Gray
Right Front (+) Light Green
Right Front (-) Dark Green
Rear Speakers 6 1/2" Rear Door
Left Rear (+) Brown
Left Rear (-) Yellow
Right Rear (+) Dark Blue
Right Rear (-) Light Blue

I'm not sure about your van but the Ign. switch is on the column down by the brake peddle. There are 4 15mm bolts holding the column to the dash, if you remove these the column will move down far enough to access the switch. Watch the rod coming from the wheel area, I tape it to the column so it doesn't come out and the high, low beam switch.

If my memory still serves me right, there are slotted holes in the switch. You can do a small adjustment. Try it.

To remove the covers, you need to remove the steering wheel first. Pull the air bag fuse out, on the back of the wheel under the airbag there are two "tangs" in the two holes. You need to push them over with a small screwdriver to release the air bag.

Remove the inflator module, and then pull the steering wheel.

From here, remove the tilt lever (i think that just pulls out). Remove the two screws on the bottom cover, remove that. Then you will see a few screws holding the top part on from the bottom side.

Its been a little while since I've had one apart, but I am not so sure there is an adjustment for the key to ignition switch position. You may need a new switch. I have a parts van with the column all apart, but its a bit of a pain to get into right now with the snow. If some pictures would help you out, I will go out and take some.

The passlock sensor is around the key cylinder, so that will probably be fine. It is seperate from the ignition switch.

Scott

If your keys ring caused damage to your ign switch ... what happened to your pants pockets?

So I did some testing today. It is the stereo itself being all funky. So my buddy had his factory one kickin around from his jimmy. Installed it and everything works as it should. EXCEPT his jimmy had the premium system so it's the bose stereo and my van doesn't have the factory amp. So full volume is very low and there is NO bass what so ever . Now the question is does anyone have the amp laying around? or am I going to have to give up on the stock look and go buy an aftermarket system. Altho an aftermarket head unit maybe fun because my factory system is the head unit with the cassette deck and the external cd player so I could remove the cd player and stuff my CB in that hole hmmm

Glad you didn't have to tear into the column for a busted rack that actuates the rod that actuates the switch.... that'll test your language skills.

Da switch ain't IN the column, it's ON the column, down above the brake pedal. The switch goes for approx $10.00. I had to replace mine. Takes about 15 min.

Da rack dat drives da rod dat actuates da switch.... DOH!!!

Dat sounds like a Zoomie design!