Odd Quirks

[special-K]

I'm starting this thread because my Suburban has had some odd quirks and I wonder if others have stories to tell.

When I first bought this thing the starter was hitting a dead spot. Sometimes it took a try or two and other times I'd tap with a hammer. I picked up a starter for replacement that rode around on the passenger floor. I finally took it out and put it on a shelf. I still have that starter on the shelf and the intermittent dead spot went away.

Another thing is my right turn signal. It's inconsistent, but it will flash double-time either when it's cold or when it's damp. Just when I think it's from dampness it will happen when it's cold and dry. Just when I think it's from cold it will happen when it's damp and warm.

At first I figured it was a bulb out or other issue with front or rear lights. Nope, both are flashing. It's been like this for years. In the time this has been happening I have had a problem with the right tail lamp not sealing and fuse blowing. I fixed that but the fast flashing didn't change. The 4-way flasher button broke, so I had to replace the multi-function switch. I figured maybe that might fix it. Nope. It's just an odd quirk I live with.

[pjmoreland]

The turn signals on my '89 have an irregular rhythm to them. Every few flashes, there will be an extra long pause between flashes.

One quirk I have noticed is with the ignition switch. If I accidentally turn it past the off position to the accessory position when turning off the truck (requires pushing in on the key), I can then turn the key back the other way toward off, and the key will come out while the switch is still just barely in the accessory position. Once or twice I have gotten in my truck after my wife drove it and the radio was sitting there powered up. This issue has been present in both the original steering column and the low-mileage replacement I installed, along with a new key & cylinder. The position of the ignition switch down on the column can be adjusted to improve this issue, but it cannot be eliminated completely without causing an alignment issue with one of the other ignition positions (can't remember the exact details). I played with the adjustment for quite a while and had to settle on a compromise.

Another ignition switch quirk I have noticed is that sometimes I cannot turn the key unless the steering wheel has been turned to a position that allows the steering lock to engage.

The glovebox light switch is flaky. I had to wiggle the wires to get it to work. I replaced the switch with another used one, and it has the same problem. I think the issue is with the connection between the wire terminals and the bulb contacts. They sealed the switch housing shut by melting a plastic retaining bump over the end cap. Otherwise, I would open it up and clean the contacts.

[special-K]

Those are some pretty good ones.

I was thinking to call my turn signal thing an atmospheric short, or is that already an actual term?

[1976gmc20]

Usually it's jeeps that have these sort of weird things.

Like ours has a brake cylinder that leaks a bunch once in a while and then doesn't leak at all for a long time.

[Just call me Sean]

My interior light doesn't come on when I open the drivers door, but the chime will ring if I leave the keys in the ignition and open it.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by Just call me Sean

My interior light doesn't come on when I open the drivers door, but the chime will ring if I leave the keys in the ignition and open it.

That's odd. I had the opposite problem where the dome light worked but the key buzzer did not. Solved by replacing the door switch, which I bought at the local Chevy dealership.

[special-K]

Is there a cancel switch I don't know about for the interior light on a '95? Ever since I've had my Suburban the interior light doesn't come on with the door opening. I looked when I first got it, then got used to it. I'm used to driving old stuff w/o automatic dome light so doesn't bother me. I can see at night in my driveway due to a dusk to dawn light

[ChevyTech]

Originally Posted by special-K

When I first bought this thing the starter was hitting a dead spot. Sometimes it took a try or two and other times I'd tap with a hammer. I picked up a starter for replacement that rode around on the passenger floor. I finally took it out and put it on a shelf. I still have that starter on the shelf and the intermittent dead spot went away.

I have run across this same issue. After testing I found the problem was internal in the starter. Disassembly of the starter did not reveal anything. My guess is the brushes don't get good contact at times. These are not the easiest starter to disassemble without damaging parts. They do have bearings instead of bushings.

Originally Posted by Just call me Sean

My interior light doesn't come on when I open the drivers door, but the chime will ring if I leave the keys in the ignition and open it.

Originally Posted by pjmorelnd

I had the opposite problem where the dome light worked but the key buzzer did not. Solved by replacing the door switch, which I bought at the local Chevy dealership.

The drivers door switch has three wires. There are two sets of contacts, one for the courtesy lights and the other for the key warning buzzer.

Originally Posted by special-K

Is there a cancel switch I don't know about for the interior light on a '95?

I remember seeing factory switches for this on the dash, but I can't remember the specifics of the vehicles that had them.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by special-K

Is there a cancel switch I don't know about for the interior light on a '95? Ever since I've had my Suburban the interior light doesn't come on with the door opening. I looked when I first got it, then got used to it. I'm used to driving old stuff w/o automatic dome light so doesn't bother me. I can see at night in my driveway due to a dusk to dawn light

With your door open, can you pull on the door switch plunger to make the dome light turn on? Mine was sticking.

[Just call me Sean]

Yea, I did get a door switch from the junkyard but never installed it. I sort of like that it doesn't come on unless I switch it on, and I only forget to turn it back off about 10% of the time.

If your 95 has an override switch I imagine it would be where the one on my 99 is.

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by Just call me Sean

My interior light doesn't come on when I open the drivers door, but the chime will ring if I leave the keys in the ignition and open it.

My 89 has that same problem. I'm sure it doesn't have anything to do with the fact that the main dome light is completely missing.

[Just call me Sean]

Originally Posted by 1976gmc20

My 89 has that same problem. I'm sure it doesn't have anything to do with the fact that the main dome light is completely missing.

Lol!

[special-K]

Thanks for the info, Chevy Tech. I bet you've seen it all. My starter seemed to have a dead spot. But it fixed itself and I won't argue with that

Thanks for the picture, Shaun. My interior light problem isn't the jam switch. I did try pulling it out. It pops out just fine. I should have looked before asking about the cancel switch. It's been so long that I gave up caring. I know my ex-wife's S10 had the same deal, knobs and all. And now I do remember, back in '15, trying that button over and over. I guess it's that switch is bad. I need to get back into the dash. I'll see about picking up another switch at LKQ. I'm not sure how I'll act with it working.

Now my hood release cable is stretched out bad enough that the handle needs to be jammed with something while I bump on the hood. It's happening at least 90% of the time now. When it does pop up it's "Hallelujah" time!