Suparslinc

My '84 GSL has developed a new quirk recently; the headlights flicker off and on every once in a while. First time was last night while I was warming it up. They stayed on the rest of the way home though. Earlier that day, the radio wouldn't come on. The antenna went up and down but no lights no sound. I wonder if its related? Well, what are these symptons a sign off? Do I have a bad ground? One more thing the starter doesn't work much anymore, just goes click click click about a hundred times before it finally catches and fires.
Could all these things be somehow related? Or do I just have alot of problems with my car

80rx-7

man i hate electrical problems!!! good luck....it may get expensive.

Suparslinc

I'm thinking wiring harness.
A few years back, the entire main wiring loom in the engine compartment shorted and melted. I had to solder in individual sections of wire for about 40 different wires in the loom, and although I taped each wire individually I'm sure after time passing that some of them may be bad again.
I'm guessing the starter is a bad solenoid or whatever its called. Does knocking that thing with a hammer help? Or will I have to bang it ever single time I need it to start?

FJ

When you have a bad main ground, turning on high power equipment (Headlights, radio, starting) can cause the voltage to drop. Usually all lights will dim and your voltmeter will drop to 10v or lower. You would want to clean the battery terminals (with light sandpaper, if you don't have the cleaning tool) and the grounds on the negative battery cable at the strut tower and at the engine. If they are dirty, they can cause the starter to click and not turn.
Also clean the connectors for the fusible links by the battery(with contact cleaner) and the wire from the fusible link blocks to the battery. If dirty they can knock out individual circuits erratically. Did you notice if the radio worked while the headlights were acting up? The more detail like that you can notice, the easier it is to hunt electrical problems. When one thing is not working, try the dome light, check the dash lights, note the voltmeter, that type of thing.
If your headlights and radio act up individually and your voltmeter stays over 12v, even after the grounds and links are clean, it could get interesting...
But do start with the main grounds and links.
Hope it helps,
-John.

80rx-7

most of my experiences with "the hammer trick" usually started out with only having to smack the **** out of it once in a while. but as time passes its just going to get worse and worse until you have to do it every time you want to go somewhere....until complete failure. the other alternative is the good old pop start, if you have a manual that is. unfortunantly ive been there and done that as well. any way, have fun.