All,
I have a 1999 Mercury Sable with moonroof.
Yesterday, the lights that illuminate the instrument cluster, the light that comes on when you open the panel containing the cigarette lighter, and the light inside the glovebox no longer comes on.
The car still drives, but you can't see any of the dash readings.
Also, the headlights are staying on, and the only way I can turn them off is to arm the theft system/ car alarm.
Any help appreciated!
VR/
Lost
I would start by checking the fuses.
If you have checked the fuses, please tell us and whatever else you did to diagnose the problem.
Jeff
I'm 'assuming' you've owned the car for awhile and it's always worked fine before? any kids or disgruntled ex's been playing around in your car?
Does anything else NOT work? radio, power seats, trunk light, etc?
I'm looking at wiring diagrams for a 99 taurus...should be similar...
Did you check fuses yet? There are fuses under the dash in the fuse junction panel AND fuses in the battery junction box under the hood.
Fuse 27 in the fuse junction panel...it powers a LOT of interior lights, but not the dash lights.
Dash lights are on Fuse 2 in the fuse junction panel.
I would check ALL the fuses while you are in there. several are involved in the headlamps/dash lamps, and may also affect their operation. There are also several relays in those circuits, too. You can usually swap them (same part #) and see if symptoms change.
Does the dash light dimmer have ANY effect? can you turn the dome light on with it (make sure fuse 27 is good first)
Obviously this is more important than the headlamp problems, tho they might be related.
Do you have daytime running lights or autolamps? and they are active (on or auto)? Do ythey come on automatically when the car starts, even if the switch is off? Do they go off eventually by themselves when key is off? could be up to 5 minutes...
Could be the headlamp switch, which is not 'just' a switch...but I'm checking fuses and swapping relays first
--Don Don Byrer KJ5KB Radar Tech & Smilin' Commercial Pilot Guy Glider & CFI wannabe kj5kb-at-hotmail.com
"I have slipped the surly bonds of earth; now if I can just land without bending the gear..." "Watch out for those doves..."
In case anyone is monitoring my troubleshooting:
1) I note that the headlights are off and no dash/glove/cigarette compt light 2) Use the remote to unlock the car. 2 map lights come on. 3) Put the rotary headlight switch from off to parking lights. The headlights come on in the parking light position! Go to the headlight position and the headlights stay on.Drive the car with the headlights on.
4) While driving, turn the rotary switch to headlight/ parking/ off. The headlights stay on in all positions, even off! 5) Rotate the automatic headlight control (next to the dimmer). The automatic headlight control also doesn't change anything. Healdights stay on. 6) Stop the car, put in park, roll down the auto headlight until it clicks (off position). Put the rotary headlight switch in off. Headlights stay on. 7) Get out of the car and lock the car with the remote. Headlights go off.Looks to me like a relay could be shorted which allows electricity to bypass the rotary switch in the off position and power the headlights.
Tomorrow, I will disconnect the battery, look under the hood and dash and check all the fuses and continuity the relays.
It wuld be nice if I could narrow it down a bit, though.
Any help appreciated!
VR/
Lost
All,
No parking lights or license plate light.
When I put my foot on the brake, I do get brake lights. In reverse, I get that light. And my turn signals work.
Cool but unsafe driving down the road at night.
I am just two headlights....no interior lights...no running lights. No red lights to follow for those behind me.
Gotta get this fixed!
VR/
Lost
Check you fuses?
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.