1990 B250 A/C and power windows stopped working simultaneously

Tiny
UNDERASHADYTREE
  • MEMBER
  • 1990 DODGE VAN
  • 5.2L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 92,000 MILES
One day I was driving my 1990 dodge b250 down the road and the a/c stopped working. Tried to roll down the Windows, got nothin there either. Got home started check around, all the fuses were still good, nothin seemed disconnected.
After Much checking around I discovered that with the van started, if I turned the key cylinder back 1mm everything worked again. Drove it like that for about a month, then then cylinder lock gave out. No problem I thought. New cylinder lock should fix all my problems.
Installed cylinder lock, started right up. But no Windows or a/c. I had a argument with the parts guy when I was ordering the lock (whole other story). Assumed he got me the wrong lock, ordered another online.
Changed lock again, still nothin.
I should clarify, when I say no a/c, I mean no blower period, no heat defrost a/c etc.
So all fuses are still fine, started searching for relays n stuff. Came to the conclusion probably a fusable link, dug the big bundle out from hood, all seem fine, none burnt that I can see.
So I guess my question is what am I missing? Is there a relay for the 2 systems somewhere I'm not finding? A fusable link hidden in the steering column?
I'm dumbfounded and sweating like a pig in this thing. Any help is appreciated.
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2015 AT 5:47 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
It sounds like you replaced the tumble assembly and not the actual ignition switch. There is a rod that goes between the tumbler and the switch. When you turn the key, it moves the switch into different positions. It could be as simple as an adjustment issue of the switch itself, or it could be bad. The switch is located on the steering column. I have attached a pic for you to look at. Let me know if it helps.
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2015 AT 7:42 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,699 POSTS
The lock cylinder doesn't have anything to do with this. In fact, if you look at your old one, it doesn't even have any wires on it. It's the ignition switch you need to look at. That is halfway down the steering column. You must check that it is not loose because loosening the two mounting bolts is how you adjust it. When you observed things worked intermittently when you turned the lock cylinder a little, you just proved the fuses and fuse link wires were okay because those are never intermittent. When one burns open, it stays that way.

Most likely the ignition switch is not loose. The more likely suspect is a pair of contacts inside it are arced and burned and the switch must be replaced. Unplug the connector and check if two terminals are black and the plastic housing around them is melted. To repair that, once the switch is replaced, those burned terminals have to be replaced too. If you don't replace them, they'll make a less-than-perfect connection which results in heat buildup, and the same thing will happen again shortly.

Those two terminals can be cut out of the connector body, then they are replaced and plugged into the switch individually after the connector is plugged in. You'll need to replace about four inches of those wires too because the heat has hardened them and solder won't adhere. Splice in four inches of new wire of the same diameter, solder those splices, then seal them with heat-shrink tubing. Never use electrical tape in a car because it will unravel into a gooey mess on a hot day. You can use crimp terminals to replace the two that were burned, but solder them to the wires too for a better connection.

This problem happens most often to people who use the heater fan on the higher speeds a lot because of the very high current flow. Also turn that switch to the lowest setting before the ignition switch is turned on or off. Turning the ignition switch on and off when the fan is set to the highest speed causes a big arc on those contacts and leads to this problem. It's always the same two terminals that overheat. It's the pair for the heater fan, power windows, and other things that are switched on, like the radio and wipers.
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2015 AT 7:55 PM
Tiny
UNDERASHADYTREE
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
I found the rod and could move it with an audible click, no difference, I will replace that and let you know.
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2015 AT 8:12 PM
Tiny
UNDERASHADYTREE
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Thanx slot guys goo d info, will dig into that tomorrow and let you know what happens
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2015 AT 8:17 PM

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