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Anonymous Posted on May 16, 2017

Dash lights stopped working

I slap the dash and they come on again, but it was nearly a year of driving in the dark with a tiny flashlight to check my speed occasionally before I discovered that trick. The shift lights on the center console that indicate my gear don't light up either; nor do the AC/heater control lights on the center dash. Just had the alternator replaced for the second time a few months ago. The compass indicator in the rearview mirror stopped working too, I am always going North. Do I have an electrical problem?

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Don Brown

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  • Contributor 17 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 17, 2019
Don Brown
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I think it's a ground problem or a fuse problem. The simplest way to fix a ground problem is to add another ground wire from the negitive on battery to the engine block. (assuming it's a negitive ground vehicle. 99% of cars are) You may have to look at your wire bundle that runs to the lights that are out and check the connection on the wire that runs to the frame. That's your ground wire. To check your fuses, see your operating manual. Hope this helps. Good Luck.

  • Don Brown
    Don Brown Apr 17, 2019

    I think it's a ground problem or a fuse problem. The simplest way to fix a ground problem is to add another ground wire from the negitive on battery to the engine block. (assuming it's a negitive ground vehicle. 99% of cars are) You may have to look at your wire bundle that runs to the lights that are out and check the connection on the wire that runs to the frame. That's your ground wire. To check your fuses, see your operating manual. Hope this helps. Good Luck.

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4 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 382 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 26, 2009

SOURCE: 97 subaru outback legacy intermitent electrical problem

I would have all the grounds checked. Sounds like it is not grounding properly. This will in turn not allow the battery to charge correctly and will make other electrical devices to operate incorrectly. For example the body ground if not good it will try to find another ground IE the shift cable. This is not designed to maintain a connection of amperage and will allow battery to die. Also will cause problem with cable and could fatigue it enough to break. Just check for good grounds on motor and body. Hope this helps. Good Luck.

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Anonymous

  • 308 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 22, 2009

SOURCE: 2003 Subaru Forester X Dash Lights out

just follow the wires that cnnect to the speedometer light and screw to change bulb . thesame as to the tachnometer light there also is awire connected to it .

Anonymous

  • 119 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 19, 2009

SOURCE: The ABS,Brake Light,Battery light go on and off sporadically while driving.Does this indicate an Alternator failure or a sensor/computer problem?

yes it's most likely a alternator problem,usually the internal diode bridge breaks causing all lights you mentioned to come on,if this happens at a idle open the hood and remove green connector on alt.if lights go out you've found the problem

Anonymous

  • 119 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 12, 2009

SOURCE: Check Engine Light, plus Cruise control indicator Light both on!!

cruise light automatically comes on when there is a malfunction that causes c.e.l to illuminate,this occurs because your accelerator is electronically controled

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just follow the wires that cnnect to the speedometer light and screw to change bulb . thesame as to the tachnometer light there also is awire connected to it .
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