Hi,

Does anybody know the location of the sensor/relay that controls the illumination of the console and tail lights during nighttime driving? Seems that my car has stopped activating these lights when the headlights are turned on. The effect is a pitch black console and the appearance that I left my lights off to motorists behind me. Any help is appreciated as driving like this seems somewhat unsafe.

Thanks,
Paul

 

Chances are its a short in your taillight any rust holes in the trunk area or did it rain within a week of this hapening , pop open ur taillight compartments and look for fried wires or bulbs i would also check the fuses all of them that have to do with lights (turn signal, illumation, speedo) i think that what they are i know there are a few that blew when i had the same problem along with a leak from installing my new spoiler. Goodluck

 

Thanks. The fuses all check out, but I guess that's expected since all tail lights remain operational (at all times) when used for their individual functions (brake, reverse, turn signal). They just refuse to light up for normal night time driving. The best description I can give is that people behind me wouldn't see me until I hit the brakes. As suggested, I'll check back there for any obvious wire damage and anything else anybody can think of before I bring it in.

Thanks again,
---Paul

 

Pull the fuse for STOP Lamp and replace with new even if the fuse checks out. The problem is a fuse. Do you have your door lights too?

 

No luck replacing fuses. But, I'll dust off the old multimeter to test for continuity along that circuit.

---Paul

 

Paul, I had a similar problem not too long ago. Turned out to be corroded pins in the headlight switch, if you can believe THAT.

 

I concur with nupe.
It sounds like a headlight switch.
Start with your multimeter there first

 

I just checked and the door lights do come on. As suggested, I'll check out the headlight switch. The headlights are working fine so is there a separate switch in there that I should be looking for?

It's been pouring this weekend so I haven't had a chance to check it out. I'll also look for any corroded wires in the rear while I'm at it. This is annoying because I know it's going to be something really simple.

Thanks again guys for all the help!

---Paul

 

It usually is, Paul. I know I went crazy trying to figure out what the problem with my lights was - that was until I read a post here about 3-4 months ago about someone checking/swapping out the headlight switch.

And it's a combination switch, so it's multi-function. My headlights were working as well - just nothing else.

So, I went on a hunch, pulled the darn thing, and sure enough the contacts were a little 'green around the gills'. Took one of my pin files from my model building (an emory board works on it too, IIRC), cleaned it up, put it together, and all was well.