Curious if the caution lights for the gen, oil and temp are supposed to come on with the ing key in start but not cranking? Mine only come on while cranking the starter and go off once the engine is started. The oil caution is the only light that comes on with the ing key in accessory. Thanks

 

This sounds normal. The point of them coming on during the starting process is to verify that the bulbs haven't burned out. As long as they all do at some point during the starting process, you're fine. There's no test of these systems going on.

If you're worried at all, you can always test the temp and oil lights by disconnecting the wires at the sensors and grounding them. With the engine running, that should cause the lights to come on. I think you can test the gen light by removing the alternator fan belt and starting the car. That should cause the light to glow a bright red as you're discharging the battery.

 

The GEN and OIL lights will come on with the key in RUN and the engine off, since that is how they work. If the alternator is not turning, the GEN light comes on. If the engine is not running there is no oil pressure so the OIL light comes on. The TEMP light will not come on with the engine not running. GM had to add a set of contacts to the ignition switch that ground the TEMP light circuit in the RUN position for lamp test.

 

Hmmm. I put a new ignition switch in due to the previous owner damaged the key guide trying to get the tumbler out and the threads for the bezel were striped out. Changed the IGN switch and bezel. Just found the front parking/turn signal had a intermittent short due to an after market single spring contractor for the 1157 bulb, was contacting the crimps on the wires. For some reason the oil, temp and gen are going to ground when the IGN switch is in the start position. I couldn’t find a break down of the IGN switch. It’s got the correct (original) wire harness plug for the IGN switch. I have the old IGN switch and will ring out the terminals today. Wonder if the IGN switch has to be grounded on the dash thru the bezel? Thank you. I want everything to be correct as designed.

 

The OIL and GEN lights will always be grounded when the engine isn't running. The ignition switch has nothing to do with that - it only switches power to those two lights. Go back and read Post #3.

 

The car has been modified with a volt reg bypass cap on the volt reg connection. Just a red wire going to alternator. White and blue not hooked up. Temp light comes on then cranking the engine. Nuthing comes on in run. I just got the car. Runs great. Fixing some connections to get parking light on. The purple wire has a bad connection at the l/h head lights connector. I get it. The ign switch gives warn lights a ground till the sensors unground them.

 

If the key is in RUN with the engine not running, do the GEN and OIL lights come on?

 

Nope. Only when I turn the key to crank the engine. Then they go out because I turn the key to run or because the engine is running.

 

Verify that you have power to both sides of the GAUGES fuse with the key in the RUN position.

 

Hey Joe, I work 3rd. Shift and only get a few hours in the morning to go over things on the wagon. Been trying to get the front parking/turn signal lights to work. The contacts and bulb sockets are very corroded. The bulb contacts springs were weak and sticking. Replaced the contacts with auto zone fixtures by removing the old and subbing in the new. All I could find was junk Chinese sockets and bulbs. Going in for missouri state safety inspection Monday to get plates. The warning lights problem I noticed previous owner had a tach installed where the clock goes. Looks like a new circuit board with very tiny wires and connectors. I think something is wired wrong to the ignition switch. I got the temp light to come on with the key in run. The generator light and oil light come on then cranking the engine. The generator light also comes on when the key is turned to accessories. I have a CS 130 alternator. The blue and white wires are not connected to the alternator. I shouldn’t get a gen light with those not hooked up? Gonna investigate that tomorrow.

 

You might have wanted to lead with that. Any other non-stock item on the car? The mind reading thing still isn't working. Unless you see evidence of goobered wiring on the ignition switch, the connector only goes on one way. It's pretty difficult to get that wrong. If the wiring is goobered then playing 20 questions isn't going to get you a useful answer. Either post photos of all the questionable bits or get yourself a factory Chassis Service Manual and a voltmeter and start tracing circuits.