Another interesting electrical gremlin
#1
Another interesting electrical gremlin
Hey everyone,
This time I'm more curious than furious about my issue. Basically, when I turn the interior lights on, they have always seemed to come and go at least until the car warms up. I thought maybe that the photosensor was picking up street lights occasionally, but today I noticed that it happens when steering at low speeds (i.e. when the power steering would put load on the engine); giving it gas usually but not always will turn them back on. They flicker or turn off until I stop moving the wheel.
So what the heck is going on here? Does this have anything to do with my lighter and speaker glitches? Is my alternator or battery about to go?
More funny than anything, hope it's not serious
This time I'm more curious than furious about my issue. Basically, when I turn the interior lights on, they have always seemed to come and go at least until the car warms up. I thought maybe that the photosensor was picking up street lights occasionally, but today I noticed that it happens when steering at low speeds (i.e. when the power steering would put load on the engine); giving it gas usually but not always will turn them back on. They flicker or turn off until I stop moving the wheel.
So what the heck is going on here? Does this have anything to do with my lighter and speaker glitches? Is my alternator or battery about to go?
More funny than anything, hope it's not serious
#2
#3
#4
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Crossroads of America
Posts: 19,563
Received 13,108 Likes
on
6,531 Posts
Hi Malihide,
My first suspicion would be that you have a loose or corroded electrical connector somewhere in the dash - perhaps one of the instrument cluster connectors - and when you move the steering wheel the connector is being disturbed enough to change the connection.
You can download the1995 X300 Electrical Guide here:
http://www.jagrepair.com/images/Auto.../jagxj1995.pdf
Have a look at the interior lighting schematics for any electrical connector that carries all the circuits that are affected. It might be a connector to the lighting switches or to a module such as the Body Processor Module (BPM) or Instrument Cluster (IC).
Cheers,
Don
My first suspicion would be that you have a loose or corroded electrical connector somewhere in the dash - perhaps one of the instrument cluster connectors - and when you move the steering wheel the connector is being disturbed enough to change the connection.
You can download the1995 X300 Electrical Guide here:
http://www.jagrepair.com/images/Auto.../jagxj1995.pdf
Have a look at the interior lighting schematics for any electrical connector that carries all the circuits that are affected. It might be a connector to the lighting switches or to a module such as the Body Processor Module (BPM) or Instrument Cluster (IC).
Cheers,
Don
The following users liked this post:
Malihide (08-24-2015)
#5
There is a light control module under the cowl on the underside of the steering column and these have been known to fail/burn out. It is a small black unit, about the size and shape of a matchbox. This module controls the dash lights but may have an impact on the interior lights also.
The effect that turning the steering wheel has on your issue would give me cause to look in this area. It may be related?
The effect that turning the steering wheel has on your issue would give me cause to look in this area. It may be related?
#6
Hey. My first thought is to rotate the dash lights dimmer switch to the left of the steering column and see what happens. Maybe the rotary switch needs to be exercised.
Next thought is to inspect the wires leaving the steering column for breaks in that those wire receive lots of flexing.
Good luck.
Bill Livingston
Next thought is to inspect the wires leaving the steering column for breaks in that those wire receive lots of flexing.
Good luck.
Bill Livingston
The following users liked this post:
Don B (08-23-2015)
#7
Thanks everyone!
Upon further investigation, it doesn't only happen when steering (and sometimes that doesn't affect it? What??), but braking to a slow speed will trigger it. It really only doesn't happen when I'm giving her a steady supply of gas.
It doesn't bother me in itself, but I was just wondering if it sounds like the first stages of a bad alternator or anything like that, mainly because it's happening when the engine would be strained slightly. When I say the interior lights, by the way, I mean the lights for the windows, memory, sunroof, garage opener, and cigar lighters; the radio, dash and climate control always work.
I'll make sure to check along the switch in the steering column, and for any pinched wires; if I find a problem there I'll let you all know. Thanks so much!
Upon further investigation, it doesn't only happen when steering (and sometimes that doesn't affect it? What??), but braking to a slow speed will trigger it. It really only doesn't happen when I'm giving her a steady supply of gas.
It doesn't bother me in itself, but I was just wondering if it sounds like the first stages of a bad alternator or anything like that, mainly because it's happening when the engine would be strained slightly. When I say the interior lights, by the way, I mean the lights for the windows, memory, sunroof, garage opener, and cigar lighters; the radio, dash and climate control always work.
I'll make sure to check along the switch in the steering column, and for any pinched wires; if I find a problem there I'll let you all know. Thanks so much!
Trending Topics
#8
So I replaced the second O2 sensor in bank 1 because I got the code for it when I first got the jag (hasn't shown up since...) and it seems to have fixed my electrical problems...? Weird! I'll check if the lighters continue to work, but the speaker pop looks like it's gone, as are the light glitches. Thanks for your help everyone, I'll let you know if my bubble gets burst.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)