Electrical puzzler...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 517
Electrical puzzler...
I am sure everyone here remembers Click and Clack and their puzzlers...
I have one for you. I am trying to trace an electrical issue,
When I am cruising at 80MPH and hit small bumps and unevenness in the road, the dash idiot lights flicker on including both turn signal lights, the high-beam and, I think, the brake warning.
I am thinking something in the steering column... That harder the bump the brighter the idiot lights come on. Tough to tell, but I think the headlight beams maybe flickering off as well.
As far as I can tell, the engine seems to be unaffected.
Either way - I will be yanking out the steering column very soon for a rebuild. The hazard switch seems stuck and non-functional, key buzzer does not work and horn randomly comes on too.
MTIA DC3 !
I have one for you. I am trying to trace an electrical issue,
When I am cruising at 80MPH and hit small bumps and unevenness in the road, the dash idiot lights flicker on including both turn signal lights, the high-beam and, I think, the brake warning.
I am thinking something in the steering column... That harder the bump the brighter the idiot lights come on. Tough to tell, but I think the headlight beams maybe flickering off as well.
As far as I can tell, the engine seems to be unaffected.
Either way - I will be yanking out the steering column very soon for a rebuild. The hazard switch seems stuck and non-functional, key buzzer does not work and horn randomly comes on too.
MTIA DC3 !
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,068
Likes: 7,678
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
A loose ground causing lights to come on? Lights that need power to come on and are always grounded?
Not thinking a loose ground wire is the answer here.
Something is sending power to those bulbs. both signal indicator lights are on separate circuits. And high beam indicator is an intirely different circuit again.
If it was just the signal indicators coming on I might suspect the signal switch in the column.
But with high beam and possibly the brake warning light in the mix. I would be pulling drivers side dash out and inspecting the harness behind the speedo and tach for damage.
Not thinking a loose ground wire is the answer here.
Something is sending power to those bulbs. both signal indicator lights are on separate circuits. And high beam indicator is an intirely different circuit again.
If it was just the signal indicators coming on I might suspect the signal switch in the column.
But with high beam and possibly the brake warning light in the mix. I would be pulling drivers side dash out and inspecting the harness behind the speedo and tach for damage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,251
Likes: 1,294
From: Fleming Island, FL
A loose ground causing lights to come on? Lights that need power to come on and are always grounded?
Not thinking a loose ground wire is the answer here.
Something is sending power to those bulbs. both signal indicator lights are on separate circuits. And high beam indicator is an intirely different circuit again.
If it was just the signal indicators coming on I might suspect the signal switch in the column.
But with high beam and possibly the brake warning light in the mix. I would be pulling drivers side dash out and inspecting the harness behind the speedo and tach for damage.
Not thinking a loose ground wire is the answer here.
Something is sending power to those bulbs. both signal indicator lights are on separate circuits. And high beam indicator is an intirely different circuit again.
If it was just the signal indicators coming on I might suspect the signal switch in the column.
But with high beam and possibly the brake warning light in the mix. I would be pulling drivers side dash out and inspecting the harness behind the speedo and tach for damage.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 517
...then I urgently need to take a leak
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 517
Still haven’t cleaned that little strap under the car.
I took it for a test drive today. It seems less the bumps than the speed. Once I hit 85 MPH, the hazard lights come on and stay on. Weird !
I took it for a test drive today. It seems less the bumps than the speed. Once I hit 85 MPH, the hazard lights come on and stay on. Weird !
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 341
Do you have a heavy keychain? Does the janitor look at your keychain with admiration?
A heavy keychain will wear out the ignition switch by swinging, over time.
When ignition is briefly lost, all the idiot lights come on just like they do before you crank the engine.
Try driving with just the key. If problem goes away replace the ignition switch.
Since the cylinder's prolly worn out by now I'd replace the cylinder, key, AND switch. Having a different key than the door gives you added security anyway. Thieves can't take a slide hammer to your passenger door cylinder while you're in a restaurant, go make a key, come back and start the car.
Or you can pay a locksmith to re-key the new cylinder you buy from whoever.
W
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,264
Likes: 201
From: Sussex,Wi
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Problem solved.
YW
I've been to this rodeo a few times, although not on any Corvettes.
Do you have a heavy keychain? Does the janitor look at your keychain with admiration?
A heavy keychain will wear out the ignition switch by swinging, over time.
When ignition is briefly lost, all the idiot lights come on just like they do before you crank the engine.
Try driving with just the key. If problem goes away replace the ignition switch.
Since the cylinder's prolly worn out by now I'd replace the cylinder, key, AND switch. Having a different key than the door gives you added security anyway. Thieves can't take a slide hammer to your passenger door cylinder while you're in a restaurant, go make a key, come back and start the car.
Or you can pay a locksmith to re-key the new cylinder you buy from whoever.
W
Do you have a heavy keychain? Does the janitor look at your keychain with admiration?
A heavy keychain will wear out the ignition switch by swinging, over time.
When ignition is briefly lost, all the idiot lights come on just like they do before you crank the engine.
Try driving with just the key. If problem goes away replace the ignition switch.
Since the cylinder's prolly worn out by now I'd replace the cylinder, key, AND switch. Having a different key than the door gives you added security anyway. Thieves can't take a slide hammer to your passenger door cylinder while you're in a restaurant, go make a key, come back and start the car.
Or you can pay a locksmith to re-key the new cylinder you buy from whoever.
W
Forgot completely about it until I saw your post.
Lighten up those key chains.
