'90 K5 - The Nevada Blazer [Post 1437: School me on alternators)

[85 Jimmy]

That's a purple wire with a white stripe, and a white wire. I'll go out an look at what the resistor is after dinner.

My 91 has the same thing going on with it, and it also had duct tape on it. And the reason the picture is orangish is because of the cover on my phone.

Its also a younger twin to yours, just waiting on a deal on 38's

If no one has a reason for it, when I go to work tomorrow I'll check alldata to see if this was a part of some service bulletin.

 

[colbystephens]

That's crazy to see the same truck with the same goofy wiring fix!

 

[Fordum]

Ok, the ground I was talking about is the little ring connector bolted to the clip. It looks like I see just the very end of a black wire coming out. And 85 Jimmy demonstrates why I wanted to see under the duct tape.

That is a diode, not a resistor.
Unless there are some numbers on it that say otherwise, I'm going to assume that it is a standard diode.
It could be a zenor, but I doubt it. I'm not sure why, but for some reason in my head, a diode makes more sense than a resistor.

I will have to think about it some.

 

[colbystephens]

I think you're right, Fordum. I don't think it's a resistor. It has a line that goes around the circumference of the cylinder at one end - possibly indicating what direction the diode operates in?

The numbers on it are:
8916
5051-300

There is a little black wire coming out of this, but I suspect it may have been something that the PO did, not factory. I partially suspect this because it's not visible in 85 Jimmy's picture of the same on his truck. Also, it's a cheapo plastic connector, and doesn't look like a factory connector.

So to recap the past few posts so I can wrap my head around this wiring stuff:

These are specific to the stock stereo system and can be left alone for now.

I believe this is also part of the stereo. I am thinking about reconnecting the Orange wire just to have it back to "stock" so that I can start fresh.

This can be thrown out because it's an aftermarket install harness, and is obviously a piece of garbage.

 

[85 Jimmy]

That is a diode, not a resistor.
Unless there are some numbers on it that say otherwise, I'm going to assume that it is a standard diode.
It could be a zenor, but I doubt it. I'm not sure why, but for some reason in my head, a diode makes more sense than a resistor..

I'll try to pull it out and see if there are any numbers on mine, hopefully Colby's and mine are the same.

Edit: nevermind to late... haha

 

[KansasTwister]

You can buy an adapter harness to reuse those factory 3 plugs.or just wire your own.

 

[496truck]

You can buy an adapter harness to reuse those factory 3 plugs.or just wire your own.

x2 !!! They are cheap, so just toss that old one.

The 2 wire conector with one orange wire that has been chopped. IIRC one of those wires is 12v (not sure if constant or switched) the other is lights for the stock radio and won't be reused. Most A/M radios light themselves and are not dependant on the vehicles lights.

 

[82355]

There is a little black wire coming out of this, but I suspect it may have been something that the PO did, not factory. I partially suspect this because it's not visible in 85 Jimmy's picture of the same on his truck. Also, it's a cheapo plastic connector, and doesn't look like a factory connector.

You are correct, that was an aftermarket ground added after the vehicle left GM.

These are specific to the stock stereo system and can be left alone for now.

You are correct there as well.

I believe this is also part of the stereo. I am thinking about reconnecting the Orange wire just to have it back to "stock" so that I can start fresh.

I wouldn't bother. I don't assume you are going to replace the stolen radio with a stock GM radio, are you? If not, you would just have to cut that again. It also doesn't hurt anything to have that inline fuse for your next radio install.

This can be thrown out because it's an aftermarket install harness, and is obviously a piece of garbage.

Incorrect. Just cut it off where the butt splices are, and you can reuse that harness again. Otherwise you'll have to go to Wal Mart or some where similar and buy another one exactly like it for $10. There is nothing wrong with that one.

Martin

 

[496truck]

But, it's old and yucky.

It would be worth it to me to buy a new one for 10 bucks and start fresh.

 

[colbystephens]

Great. Thanks for all the clarification, guys! So the only two remaining questions are:

1. What's the deal with that plug w/ the diode
2. Where does the DRAC unit actually mount to? Like stated before, it was just dangling back there.

 

[82355]

I can't tell you what exactly that diode is there for, but I wouldn't worry about it. I am guessing it was a GM service update. They have a diode in the AC Compressor Clutch connector to prevent voltage spikes when the AC kicks off. It is probably something similar.

The DRAC I don't know. My 1990 K5 is the only vehicle I own that had an electronic speedometer from the factory. It didn't work when I got it (no speed sensor on my doubler) so I just installed a mechanical speedometer in its place.

Martin

 

[dhcomp]

Great. Thanks for all the clarification, guys! So the only two remaining questions are:

1. What's the deal with that plug w/ the diode
2. Where does the DRAC unit actually mount to? Like stated before, it was just dangling back there.

The DRAC unit mounts to a metal bracket , just below the radio behind the sheet metal. There is a small bracket that has 2 screws that go into the bottom, along the bottom edge of the dash. If you dont' have the bracket, you'll probaby just want to stick it to the dash with double stick tape.

Did you mod your DRAC for your speedo?

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=273863&highlight=DRAC

Looks like he had brackets for sale too.

 

[colbystephens]

Ok, cool. This one he sold me has some velcro. I'll just stick it on there with some more.

 

[jekquistk5]

Great. Thanks for all the clarification, guys! So the only two remaining questions are:

1. What's the deal with that plug w/ the diode
2. Where does the DRAC unit actually mount to? Like stated before, it was just dangling back there.

You mean the DRAC is not supposed to just hang there

 

[85 Jimmy]

Great. Thanks for all the clarification, guys! So the only two remaining questions are:

1. What's the deal with that plug w/ the diode
2. Where does the DRAC unit actually mount to? Like stated before, it was just dangling back there.

When I go to work I'll check for a service bulletin on the diode, atleast to clear it up for both of us.

I'd be curious to see how many others have it done. I'm sure it's not just the two of us.

 

[colbystephens]

When I go to work I'll check for a service bulletin on the diode, atleast to clear it up for both of us.

I'd be curious to see how many others have it done. I'm sure it's not just the two of us.

Cool. Let me know how it goes!

Also: http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3075599#post3075599

 

[Fordum]

The only purple/white wire I see is part of the dist. control system. Do you have a vacuum advance dist by any chance?

I'm wondering if this was an inbetween model. With the computer and wiring for the later dist, but with the old style dist.
And the diode is there to make the computer happy.

If not that, then its probably a back-emf preventer. To clip out any reverse voltage spikes before the computer gets zapped.

Look at the 'est' module at the top of the schematic

 

[colbystephens]

Thanks, Fordum. I have a '90 Blazer, so I don't know if that makes a difference. Your schematic goes up to '87. However, your comment makes some sense to me as it relates to the wiring diagrams I've seen on dremu's "brochures.slosh.com" site. I can't link images from there. It's under "88-90 R/V Chassis 2" diagram. It's less than a 1/4 of a page up from the right side of the fuse box on that diagram.

I saw 2 purple/white wires, one went to the ECM somehow, and the other, I don't recall, but that one seemed less likely to be the one I was looking at.

So what would you do about the duct tape? I'm thinking a big ol' piece of shrink wrap?

 

[colbystephens]

Quick lumber rack update.

I built some mounting brackets for the lumber rack yesterday. I still need to drill holes, paint and get bolts, but I'm mostly done. I am considering pulling late evening in the shop tonight to finish it up. I suppose I also need to make some plates for the inside of the top too, but that shouldn't take more than a few minutes to just throw some material in the shear and drill the proper holes.


Lumber Rack-3 by colbyjstephens, on Flickr


Lumber Rack-2 by colbyjstephens, on Flickr


Lumber Rack-1 by colbyjstephens, on Flickr

 

[kauzenkaos]

Today I finished installing the CB and finished installing the auxiliary audio jack.

Here's the CB location and the audio jack. Wiring is run under the carpet on the trans tunnel. Interior of the truck is still needing a good wash. I never really cleaned it real well after buying...


download-2 by colbyjstephens, on Flickr

Here's where I installed the antenna. I hope it works out ok, I know it's not ideal. But I think it'll be good for protecting the antenna from getting bashed, and I hope it'll work well enough for intra-truck communication on a trail.


download by colbyjstephens, on Flickr

The previous owner just took out the old stereo and wired in the new one, leaving it to flop around in the big gaping space. He did buy a universal install kit, but didn't use it. I got it installed last weekend, and it came out real nice. I had to "massage" it a bit with the dremmel, but it worked out real well. First time I've had music in a truck, let alone the ability to use an auxiliary music source! Luxury.


download-1 by colbyjstephens, on Flickr

Colby,
I was looking through you build thred and came across the pic of your cluster bezel and i have to ask if you know where its from. I never seen one that ends like before the radio like that. Do you have a better pic of the whole thing? I only ask because that style would suit my needs better if it was short on the left as well. I pulled the lower left vent out and mounted my trans controller there but its a tight squeeze for the display and control knob. I hate to cut up the factory bezel only because when i get done it will look like sh!t.