Another 454 Vortec Build Thread - Documenting, Q&A, Help

[Bachert24]

Need a little help. Driver tail lamp works fine. Passenger not to much. When I flip the connector it lights up but I think they are just getting constant vs switched power. What connector is passenger taillamp? On the image none of what I'm seeing is matching up. Looks right based on drivers side but no switched power.

 

[454cid]

Need a little help. Driver tail lamp works fine. Passenger not to much. When I flip the connector it lights up but I think they are just getting constant vs switched power. What connector is passenger taillamp? On the image none of what I'm seeing is matching up. Looks right based on drivers side but no switched power.

I'm not sure what you're saying. What's the passenger side do when connected correctly? How would you even "flip" the connector?

If it's just not working, it's probably a bad board in the light. It's a terrible design. It was always my passenger side that gave me issues, too.

 

[Bachert24]

I'm not sure what you're saying. What's the passenger side do when connected correctly? How would you even "flip" the connector?

If it's just not working, it's probably a bad board in the light. It's a terrible design. It was always my passenger side that gave me issues, too.

I have aftermarket taillights now. All but the reverse light is LED. With both connectors plugged in drivers works but passenger does not and I see no issues in the wiring. Wondering if the plug got re-pinned wrong or something. I'm just looking for the connector number right now. C406 or something. I plugged both lights into the driver side connector and they both work fine minus the reverse light. Neither of them work. Running lights on both sides work but brake light and turn signal don't work on passenger side. Is it possible it's the turn signal switch itself?

 

[BeXtreme]

I have aftermarket taillights now. All but the reverse light is LED. With both connectors plugged in drivers works but passenger does not and I see no issues in the wiring. Wondering if the plug got re-pinned wrong or something. I'm just looking for the connector number right now. C406 or something. I plugged both lights into the driver side connector and they both work fine minus the reverse light. Neither of them work. Running lights on both sides work but brake light and turn signal don't work on passenger side. Is it possible it's the turn signal switch itself?

Bust out a multimeter and actually check for voltage at the taillight plug. Black is ground for everything, Dk Green is right turn, Yellow is Left turn, Light Green is reverse. If you have power at the taillight connector, but the light isn't working, then you know the light is the issue. There are connectors at the lights, at the bumper before it heads down the drivers side frame rail, and in the engine compartment. If no power at the taillight plug, start working your way forward.

If you don't have a multimeter and don't want to buy one, just get yourself a cheap harbor freight dummy light and do the same thing. Just make sure you are checking through the same ground the light would be using and not direct to a good ground on the chassis.

 

[Bachert24]

Bust out a multimeter and actually check for voltage at the taillight plug. Black is ground for everything, Dk Green is right turn, Yellow is Left turn, Light Green is reverse. If you have power at the taillight connector, but the light isn't working, then you know the light is the issue. There are connectors at the lights, at the bumper before it heads down the drivers side frame rail, and in the engine compartment. If no power at the taillight plug, start working your way forward.

If you don't have a multimeter and don't want to buy one, just get yourself a cheap harbor freight dummy light and do the same thing. Just make sure you are checking through the same ground the light would be using and not direct to a good ground on the chassis.

I have voltage but looks like half a voltage.

 

[BeXtreme]

I have voltage but looks like half a voltage.

Now you need to check for continuity from the ground pin on the plug to the frame. If it is more than 1 ohm, you need to go in and clean up all your ground connections to the frame. If the resistance is less than 1 ohm, you probably have a loose or corroded connector somewhere. Get yourself a can of deoxit spray and start going through each connector from the bumper mount all the way up into the engine compartment and disconnect, spray, connect/disconnect several times, then spray them some more and repeat. Once you have done that, recheck voltage at the plug.

 

[Bachert24]

Got intake gaskets done and need a little help. Got TDC using the timing mark and slot on the balancer. The highlighted in the pic below is confusing me. Is this only for a new distributor? I assume i can just align the metal tab on the rotor with the 6 on the distributor housing and as long as it drops into the oil slot I'm good? I don't need to use a screwdriver to turn the receiver in the block right? Which brings up another point. Truck ran before pulling the intake gaskets but should the 6 on the distributor worry me or are the 6 and 8 interchangeable?

 

[Bachert24]

Now you need to check for continuity from the ground pin on the plug to the frame. If it is more than 1 ohm, you need to go in and clean up all your ground connections to the frame. If the resistance is less than 1 ohm, you probably have a loose or corroded connector somewhere. Get yourself a can of deoxit spray and start going through each connector from the bumper mount all the way up into the engine compartment and disconnect, spray, connect/disconnect several times, then spray them some more and repeat. Once you have done that, recheck voltage at the plug.

Many thanks sir.

 

[BeXtreme]

Got intake gaskets done and need a little help. Got TDC using the timing mark and slot on the balancer. The highlighted in the pic below is confusing me. Is this only for a new distributor? I assume i can just align the metal tab on the rotor with the 6 on the distributor housing and as long as it drops into the oil slot I'm good? I don't need to use a screwdriver to turn the receiver in the block right? Which brings up another point. Truck ran before pulling the intake gaskets but should the 6 on the distributor worry me or are the 6 and 8 interchangeable?

Generally speaking, if it was running right before doing this I would have bumped the engine over to an easily marked spot on the distributor before I pulled it. Then when you re-install, you just do it to the spot you already had marked. I will usually do this by putting the timing mark on TDC and then mark the intake manifold and/or distributor body in such a way that I know exactly where to put them for it to drop right back in where I left it. Mine is converted to use LS coil packs now, so alignment doesn't really matter as much on mine and I didn't bother to mark it.

 

[Bachert24]

Call me crazy but that's a 6 on the dizzy. Also not seeing a painted line to line this thing up. Cause for concern?