Hello folks, I have a problem, perhaps someone could help;
My 98' Outback wagon has the 'winter package'. With this package is a switch next to the outside rear-view mirror adjustment 'joy-stick' located to the far left of the dash-board. What this switch does is de-frosts the outside rear-view mirrors. When you push the switch in a little light on the switch lights up.
A couple of weeks ago I noticed this little light was dimly lit. I push the switch in and it lit up brightly as usual. I thought nothing of it. Sometimes it was lit and sometimes it wasn't.
The other day I am driving down the road and all the door locks started locking and un-locking at the same time. I noticed the door-timer relay was also clicking. Then the locks wouldn't work.
It used to be that with the key out of the ignition one could select to lock or un-lock all the locks by using the switch on either the driver or passenger door. This is not working now. When I take the key out of the ignition all of them lock but then the switches don't work. When I put the key in the ignition to start it, they all lock as soon as the engine starts to turn over. With the key in the "on" position or with the car running all the locks work correctly with both switches. But of course now and then they all start locking and un-locking on their own. This I tell you is very freaky.
So here's the kicker. Now when I de-press the rear-view mirror de-froster button all the doors lock. When pressed again they all open. While this switch is pressed in none of the lock switches work.???
Now I have checked all the fuses. I have a keyless entry box under the dash and the two in-line fuses for it are good. I have never used the key-less entry since I bought the car. I think there silly. Anyhow I not only checked all the fuses to see if they were blown, I also checked them for continuity. This was done to every fuse in the car.
Because none of the fuses are blown and the locks all work, the switches work, I don't think I have a short. I am thinking a relay or who knows what. It would seem a lot easier if the problem was just contained to the door locks but with the de-frost button thrown in I am at a loss.
Any and suggestions would help, meanwhile I am going to start running the multi-meter on everything.... This is a real bummer....
[ evL ]-