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dashlights and odometer problems

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 1:03 am
by renovation
2002 Saturn vue
the dash lights just stop working and the odometer has been flashing different mileage reading for a while now while driving down the road . the dash light I have been seen over the last couple of weeks. seem to come on in the daylight also over the last couple of weeks seem to stay on after the car is turned off and the headlight switch is turned off. tonight I found I had no dash lights but the headlights are working . this car is not equip with light sentry/(automatic headlights). help if you have any ideas ! car has like 97,000 org.miles on it. 4 cyl. 5 speed manual. also door locks have been acting weard at times when I shut the car off. intermittent do for a bit to .

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 7:30 am
by DaMaN
Weird symptoms Mike. Sounds like a short of some sorts or a computer problem? Is there any kind of daylight sensor for the daytime running lights? My truck has one on the top of the dash right in the speaker grill. Perhaps thats the culprit. Try getting the codes read for free at an Autozone or Advanced Auto parts / NAPA. That may reveal something.

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 8:06 am
by renovation
there no daylight sensor I can see any where .

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 8:45 am
by EvilHorace

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:35 am
by renovation
thanks evil
try that last night been today there all over the place but no one right response .to any ones question .when it cools off outside im going to start trouble shooting .its so muggy out right now and the temps only going up today . there so many different things going on there no way to know whats really starting the problem.

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:46 am
by renovation
wipers are / been acting up - rear wiper stop completely , heater blower only working on high. plus the dash lights not working or staying on .cigarette light on front consul quit. rear /backseat one is working.
door locks have auto locked before on me for no reason while car was parked .glad I had the window cracked open that day.
so its like maybe a crazy ground short someplace. I been blowing all these off but now I have to figure it out .also need to find out if there a computer for the electrical on this car - that maybe whats going haywire !

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 2:29 pm
by EvilHorace
Realize that a dealer can only charge you 1 hr to initially diagnose your car unless it gets really hairy but then if so, they have to legally inform you before proceeding. Many times, to pay 1 hour for someone who has experience might be better than you spending 8+ and still not knowing.

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 7:55 pm
by renovation
this is so true ! evil my thought is your correct ! thanks there so much weird shit going on with this car.

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:07 pm
by Err
Electrical gremlins stink. I hope you get it squared away. It sounds like a short or a loose ground somewhere.

Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 11:03 pm
by normalicy
Yeah, this could be either real easy or a nightmare to troubleshoot. Sometimes it's about being lucky enough to check the right spot.