1994 Pontiac Grand Am No Parking Lights Fix

1994 PONTIAC GRAND AM
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JEFFERY2000
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  • 3 POSTS
I currently own a 1994 Pontiac Grand Am 2.3L Quad 4 single over head cam, 178,000 miles and running strong. Change oil ever 3000 miles as it is the engines life blood of a car. I have replaced little things over the years to keep this fine car on the road. My problem is that I have no Dash lights or Running lights (parking lights) I have checked all the fuses and replaced all the bulbs. Break lights, back up lights, Stop lights, four way hazard lights, Turn signals and Head lights all work fine. It appears that no power to these lights may be my problem any help would be great. I have limited electrical skills but my mechanical skills are above average.
May 15, 2006 at 6:15 AM
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LOSONE
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,616 POSTS
The tail light come from the brown wire on the light sw. Use a test light check the brown wires to see if the sw is OK. It is a combination sw and a bit hard to get too but check all brown wires in the wire cluster under the bottom of the steering column. You want to make sure the sw is good. It is my choice for the problem
May 15, 2006 at 10:11 AM
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JEFFERY2000
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I traced all the wires and everything looked great. I repalced the turn signal/headlight/cruise swith and it fixed all my problems. Now i have a good running used car that will make it over 200,000 miles.
May 21, 2006 at 1:26 AM
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LOSONE
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,616 POSTS
Good job on the switch. I have replaced a bunch of them.

You have a good car and a good engine. The man who invented that engine lives here in Biloxi, Mississippi. He developed it for the Austrailian racing team and had it turning over 10,000 rpm on the test stand. You could hear it for blocks away.

The only problem with the quad 4 is the water pump. It is driven by the cam chain and is a bear to put on. If you see any water leaks from the flat side of the engine make sure you replace ot before it causes problems. It has a shaft that sometimes freezes and causes problems.

Good luck losone
May 21, 2006 at 2:17 AM
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Suggested Repair

Test the brown wires from the combination light switch under the steering column. If the switch is faulty, replace the turn signal/headlight switch, which resolved the missing dash and parking lights.

Conversation Summary

A 1994 Pontiac Grand Am had no dash or parking/running lights, while brake, backup, hazard, turn signal, and headlights worked. Fuses and bulbs had already been checked. The expert advised testing the brown wires at the combination switch under the steering column. The owner replaced the turn signal/headlight/cruise switch and the lights worked again. The expert confirmed that switch replacement is common and noted the Quad 4 water pump as a separate maintenance concern.

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