Dash lights go out when I turn on headlights
#1
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Guys I know I saw a thread on this. My 97 xk8's dash lights are on when I start the car. When I switch on the headlights they go off. The dimmer switch does not make any difference. I purchased a used signal switch with a dimmer from a local yard. I do not have auto lights option. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Could not find that earlier link.
thx.
jim
thx.
jim
#4
#6
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Sorry to hear that, I've attached a schematic of your dimmer controlled lighting.
Wasn't sure if you had but maybe it will help locate the issue.
Could be a short in the lighting stalk. If the dimmer works fine without the head lights on I would lean more towards the stalk.
Wasn't sure if you had but maybe it will help locate the issue.
Could be a short in the lighting stalk. If the dimmer works fine without the head lights on I would lean more towards the stalk.
#9
#11
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exactly what I have. I am working on it. Will update when I know more. let me know if you figure it out.
#12
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Not sure if it helps, but I just had the car looked at for an electrical gremlin that kept killing the battery if the car was left parked for three days or so. What the techs found, eventually, was that it had a bad body control module. However, the item worked just fine so long as I do not leave the lights in the automatic setting. If I do that, for whatever reason something in the BCM stays alive and eventually kills off the battery. So it was either I get used to turning the lights on and off (I'm old enough to remember when that was normal, so no big deal) or I pay $1500 for a new BCM-! You can guess which one I chose.
Now, I'm wondering if the dash lights going off while headlights are on is a BCM related problem. Could be; hope that helps.
Now, I'm wondering if the dash lights going off while headlights are on is a BCM related problem. Could be; hope that helps.
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convgto69 (03-30-2014)
#13
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Ok Guys. Here's what I know. Finally got a chance to see whats going on. The first thing I checked was the Fuse on the passenger side. # 18 - 10 amps. It was blown. replaced it with a new one started car turned on head lights and it blew again. Tried one more time , same thing. So now I removed the dimmer module which is in the same fuse box. I am thinking either thats bad or I have a wire in the column exposed or rubbing to cause the short. Or the actual stalk is bad. I have a replacement turn signal switch. What do you guys think before I tear anyhting else apart. thx. Jim
#14
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If you turn your head lights on and it blows the fuse then disconnect both head lights at the units, replace the fuse and try again. You may well have a short on one or both of the connectors or in the units themselves.
In the meantime I'll have a look in the diagram to see if I can come up with something else.
Hope this helps,
In the meantime I'll have a look in the diagram to see if I can come up with something else.
Hope this helps,
The following 2 users liked this post by jimbov8:
convgto69 (04-05-2014),
Orthodixie (07-11-2017)
#15
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If you turn your head lights on and it blows the fuse then disconnect both head lights at the units, replace the fuse and try again. You may well have a short on one or both of the connectors or in the units themselves.
In the meantime I'll have a look in the diagram to see if I can come up with something else.
Hope this helps,
In the meantime I'll have a look in the diagram to see if I can come up with something else.
Hope this helps,
Jim
#16
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Hi Jim,
Attached is the diagram for your problem. Look at the outputs from the dimmer module and if possible you could disconnect them and then see if the fuse blows.
If not then one of those outputs has the problem. If it does, then it will be the module.
Sorry, misunderstood what you were saying with the headlights.
Attached is the diagram for your problem. Look at the outputs from the dimmer module and if possible you could disconnect them and then see if the fuse blows.
If not then one of those outputs has the problem. If it does, then it will be the module.
Sorry, misunderstood what you were saying with the headlights.
Last edited by jimbov8; 04-05-2014 at 03:18 PM.
The following users liked this post:
convgto69 (04-05-2014)
#17
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Hi Jim,
Attached is the diagram for your problem. Look at the outputs from the dimmer module and if possible you could disconnect them and then see if the fuse blows.
If not then one of those outputs has the problem. If it does, then it will be the module.
Sorry, misunderstood what you were saying with the headlights.
Attached is the diagram for your problem. Look at the outputs from the dimmer module and if possible you could disconnect them and then see if the fuse blows.
If not then one of those outputs has the problem. If it does, then it will be the module.
Sorry, misunderstood what you were saying with the headlights.
thx.
Jim
#18
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Jim
#20
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thx.
Jim