SeanR

Been working on an '86.5 today trouble shooting a instrument cluster issue. Car starts and runs great but no warning lights, speedo/tach, only the volt meter and oil pressure gauge work, sorta. Changed the Odo gear out since it was there.

So I've got the cluster back in and doing a key on test, same as before, car starts/runs cluster doing what it was before. Pull the central warning computer and plug in a spare. No change. I start it up to see if the odo is going to work and nope, nothing. Turn the key off and car continues to run. Toggle the switch a bit and pull the ignition switch off the back of the column and the car won't shut off. Go yank the negative off the battery, car still running. Go up front and pull 14 pin connector and it's still running. Pull the fuel pump relay and the car finally dies.

Look around and see what might have caused that and put the old warning computer back in and the same blasted thing happens. So as I am poking around the cluster area I see a nice little two pin connector that should be connected to the under side of the column. Plug it back in to it's spot and viola, it all works as it should. Should have taken a picture of it.

Damnedest things happen with these cars.

BC

Isn't that the steering wheel lock position sensor?

Strange. Very strange.

Aloysius

whoo wee! last time that happened to me (really, it did) my *Saab* cooked the entire loom of the car. Probably more common to Saabs than 928's but it all wen't down just like that. Any smoke? keep an eye on it!

dr bob

My feeble memory is of the two pin to the column for the key-inserted contacts. Is there another? (obviously there is...) Pics?

I'm not sure how a single two-pin anything would affect the pod indicators .and. keep the key from shutting the engine off. Inquiring minds and all.

terry gt

Christine syndrome , talk nicely to her

SeanR

Now that did not clear up the issues with the pod, that was a fuse and cluster trace issue fixed after I got the car to run and stop.

namasgt

That happened to my S4, remember. It was the big yellow wire going to the starter from the 14 pin connector that was almost split from corrosion. It was breaking in half were the two claps hold it to the water pump. I would turn on the car and then turning the key to off wouldn't shut it down. Also, when you disconnect the battery and the car kept running, that's normal, if the alternator is working. Some old school way of checking to see if the alternator is working...
Is this a salt air car?

depami

Isn't it a no no to unhook the battery on a running 928? I thought that put electronic modules at risk.

SMTCapeCod

86.5...be sure to check lower ac hard line for abrasion around the pass timing belt guard...

Admittedly, me passing recommendations to you is silly, so consider the above a general venting of frustration....no real nexus to original complaints..
;-)

SeanR

Wiring harness is in fantastic shape. Checked all that out after all was said and done. Low mile car that seems to have spent its time in a garage. If it was a 5 speed I'd try to buy it. Finished messing with the A/C system just now and discovered one bad HVAC actuator (bypassed it) and going to install a new resistor pack due to magic blower syndrome.

I just figured you all would get a kick out of what happened today, I found it quite amusing. Not a day goes by that I don't find something new or odd with these things.

Landseer

That right there is crazy. Wow.

Kalspeed

Sean
Delete your avatar (or revert) and guarantee the car will fix it self..

MGW-Fla

'85s seem to be the year notorius for the running on after turning the key off problem. My previous '85 had this, only on occasion & always in the morning. Tried everything, from ignition switch to the rear defroster causing it. Finally was cured once I started parking it in the garage & not on the driveway. So must of been moisture somewhere, who knows. I figured it was more the Christine syndrome & she didn't like being out all night.

SeanR

Hmmmm. That has me thinking. I turned The defrost switch off after try number two, wonder if it was a coinkidink. It might have been that instead of that little connector. Hmmmm. Thanks for that.

Kal, will do tomorrow when I'm on my PC, tired o looking at this guy all ready.

rbrtmchl

Yes. It's called 'load dump' and causes large voltage hits to the electronics in the vehicle. Electronics manufacturers design in protection for this, as it is a fault that can occur in normal driving due to a loose battery clamp. But it is not a good idea to intentionally subject your car's electronics to this if you can avoid it.