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Intermittent electrical problem where ALL lights go black while driving?

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Old 08-27-2014, 06:10 AM
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Default Intermittent electrical problem where ALL lights go black while driving?

Hi, new member here but long time reader so just want to say thanks in advance for any replies.

I have a 1999.5 mid-facelift Avant 2.8L v6 and I have had a problem of blinkers intermittently not working and sometimes the hazard lights coming on while the car is parked and off. I know I have to fix the hazard light switch in order to fix this problem and will be doing it this week.

Last week when I was driving at night my lights, I mean all my lights including interior gauge lights went off for a split second or so, happened twice. Yesterday when I was driving at night the lights went very dim almost black for a half second.

So while reading I found that this may be cause by the headlight switch and I have to remove the steering wheel to replace, which is no problem for me. My only concern was that ALL the lights went out when I was driving but power to the car remained constant. I noticed in similar threads it was just maybe the low beams or running lights.

I just want to make sure this may not be something like the battery or alternator or something else before I start digging into the steering wheel.

FYI I did do a mid to new facelift mod so I can have the double din console installed myself. So now I have a aftermarket Nav system installed.
 
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Old 08-27-2014, 07:44 AM
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Do a search on this. There's a guy who had the same problem, but I can't remember the fix,

And GL
 
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Old 08-27-2014, 11:40 AM
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It could also be the ignition switch flaking out. On my pre-facelift 99, the dash gauges are always lit, regardless of the headlight switch position. If it happened in my car I would start with the ignition switch, as that's what turns on the gauge lighting. If your car's cluster is always lit, regardless of whether your parking or headlights are on, I would suspect the ignition switch first. If your dash lights only come on when the headlight switch is turned on, then the headlight switch is probably more likely.
 
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Old 08-27-2014, 08:25 PM
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Originally Posted by A4TurboGuy
Do a search on this. There's a guy who had the same problem, but I can't remember the fix,

And GL
I maybe using the wrong terms but I cant find it in the search. I only have found the ones about the headlights/low beams that stop working, not all the lights including the cluster.

I already ordered a new hazard switch and will be ordering a headlight switch so I am hoping this will resolve the issue and I will report back.
 
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Old 08-28-2014, 08:05 AM
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The answer is right on the tip of my tongue. Damn it man! I'll keep it in mind and see if it comes to me.
 
  #6  
Old 08-28-2014, 08:10 AM
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Possibly headlight switch and/or associated relay(s). That would be one way to explain everything (I'm thinking failing relay(s).
 
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Old 08-29-2014, 02:08 PM
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I'm going to go ahead and replace the headlight switch and the associated relays. Anyone tell me which relays I should get/order? Having a hard time finding which ones I really would need.
 
  #8  
Old 08-30-2014, 08:56 AM
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I can't tell you with certainty. Sorry.

Hopefully someone else will chime in.
 
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