97 electrical gremlins
#1
Beginning Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 12

HI All
First of all I'm glad I found you. Normally I have no problem fixing my Blazer but this kind of has me a little baffled.
I have a feeling that my problem lies with the ignition switch but thought I would post the problem and see if any of you agree that my hunch is right. A few years back I had someone tell me the 2nd gen Blazers were hard on ignition switches (long story) so knowing that is why I am suspicious of it.
Anyway here's the problem I am having. The last week or so my ABS light would stay on (I recently changed the front hubs) when I started the vehicle. I would shut it down and restart and that seemed to solve the light staying on.
Something that I found odd was when the light did stay on the power windows and defroster won't work. Or when the light is off if I try the windows or defroster it would trip the light.
Sounds like a short right?
But wait, This is all when the key is in the on position & running, when I turn the key off and then to the acc. position everything works fine.
Can't be a short then right?
Unless the short is in the ignition switch.
I've checked all fuses and they look good. Now it's been raining the last couple of days and I gave thought to moisture being the culprit, but the whole switch position thing has me leaning heavily on the switch being the issue here.
Another reason I suspect the ignition switch is I don't think the ABS system shares the same circuit as the power windows or the AC/heater/defroster and each has it's own circuit. The only place I can think of where they may share is in the switch.
So what do any of you think? Am I on the right track with this?
I should also mention that the switch was replaced about 4 years ago, twice in the past 10 years.
Are they really that bad they need to be replaced so often?
First of all I'm glad I found you. Normally I have no problem fixing my Blazer but this kind of has me a little baffled.
I have a feeling that my problem lies with the ignition switch but thought I would post the problem and see if any of you agree that my hunch is right. A few years back I had someone tell me the 2nd gen Blazers were hard on ignition switches (long story) so knowing that is why I am suspicious of it.
Anyway here's the problem I am having. The last week or so my ABS light would stay on (I recently changed the front hubs) when I started the vehicle. I would shut it down and restart and that seemed to solve the light staying on.
Something that I found odd was when the light did stay on the power windows and defroster won't work. Or when the light is off if I try the windows or defroster it would trip the light.
Sounds like a short right?
But wait, This is all when the key is in the on position & running, when I turn the key off and then to the acc. position everything works fine.
I've checked all fuses and they look good. Now it's been raining the last couple of days and I gave thought to moisture being the culprit, but the whole switch position thing has me leaning heavily on the switch being the issue here.
Another reason I suspect the ignition switch is I don't think the ABS system shares the same circuit as the power windows or the AC/heater/defroster and each has it's own circuit. The only place I can think of where they may share is in the switch.
So what do any of you think? Am I on the right track with this?
I should also mention that the switch was replaced about 4 years ago, twice in the past 10 years.
Are they really that bad they need to be replaced so often?
Last edited by Luthor; 10-20-2016 at 05:32 PM.
#2
Beginning Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 12

I read other threads and see some have corrected their issue with a new switch while others did not. Me I'm convinced that is the issue, I checked grounds as some suggested and found no issues.
So calling around for another switch I was floored by the amount these parts stores want, one quoted me over $200 (I'm in Canada), ended up ordering one from Rock Auto for less than half.
I considered scrap yards but had no luck, was told the only other model year compatible was a 98. I thought I could interchange parts up to model year 2005.
So hopefully someone can tell me if this is true or what other GM models I could pull one from.
So calling around for another switch I was floored by the amount these parts stores want, one quoted me over $200 (I'm in Canada), ended up ordering one from Rock Auto for less than half.
I considered scrap yards but had no luck, was told the only other model year compatible was a 98. I thought I could interchange parts up to model year 2005.
So hopefully someone can tell me if this is true or what other GM models I could pull one from.
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