It was in there very tight, but after getting it out, none of the terminals appear loose, corroded, or melted.
Electrical Problems, headlights and wipers not working
89 Saab 900 Base
Seemingly all at once, my electrical went haywire:
-Dashboard shows brights are on, can't turn it off
-Lights don't work
-Right turn signal doesn't work
-Wipers don't work (wiper spray does)
-Right blinker doesn't work
-Only 3rd brake light works (well, the others were just really dim)
EDIT!-Forgot to add horn doesn't work either
After much digging through forums, I did the following:
-New headlamps, all 6 bulbs in front side lights replaced, side marker bulbs replaced
-Checked grounds in rear lights.
-Checked fuses with electric meter
-Cleaned (I think) all grounds
Not recommended in the forums, but I had had enough, I tapped into the ground feeding the right tail light and grounded it to the ground from the left taillight. This gave me blinkers, albeit the right one blinks fast and the left blinks normal. I imagine this might be because there is too much current, but I was having a hard time cleaning the contacts in the left taillight and imagine that is what needs to be done.
PROBLEM THAT BROUGHT ME HERE:
I still cannot get headlights to work or windshield wipers.
If I turn the lights on while the blinker is going, the blink gets very slow, like one change per second (ie two seconds for a full on/off cycle).
Based on what I have read it seems like it is either a ground somewhere that I have not found, or the headlight relay. I did not find a lot of good info on the latter, but I took it apart and visually checked it for anything obvious and didn't see anything. I uploaded pictures of it in case someone smarter than me sees something.
Lastly, I am a novice, so please use small words in your reply!
Seemingly all at once, my electrical went haywire:
-Dashboard shows brights are on, can't turn it off
-Lights don't work
-Right turn signal doesn't work
-Wipers don't work (wiper spray does)
-Right blinker doesn't work
-Only 3rd brake light works (well, the others were just really dim)
EDIT!-Forgot to add horn doesn't work either
After much digging through forums, I did the following:
-New headlamps, all 6 bulbs in front side lights replaced, side marker bulbs replaced
-Checked grounds in rear lights.
-Checked fuses with electric meter
-Cleaned (I think) all grounds
Not recommended in the forums, but I had had enough, I tapped into the ground feeding the right tail light and grounded it to the ground from the left taillight. This gave me blinkers, albeit the right one blinks fast and the left blinks normal. I imagine this might be because there is too much current, but I was having a hard time cleaning the contacts in the left taillight and imagine that is what needs to be done.
PROBLEM THAT BROUGHT ME HERE:
I still cannot get headlights to work or windshield wipers.
If I turn the lights on while the blinker is going, the blink gets very slow, like one change per second (ie two seconds for a full on/off cycle).
Based on what I have read it seems like it is either a ground somewhere that I have not found, or the headlight relay. I did not find a lot of good info on the latter, but I took it apart and visually checked it for anything obvious and didn't see anything. I uploaded pictures of it in case someone smarter than me sees something.
Lastly, I am a novice, so please use small words in your reply!
Attachments
1 - 20 of 39 Posts
So I unplugged both stalks. The wipers were easy as there was only one. The turn signal had 5 or 6 different plugs. I will need some help making sure I put them back right! I took some pics but it was tight in there. Here is what I found:
With stalks unplugged, I was able to put all fuses back in and could not get anything to buzz. I plugged the stalk back in, heard some clicks and a quick buzz I think (I was inside the car). When I plugged it in the RPMs starting revving too...but just on the tach, the car was off.
Jim-your comment about the motor trying to park is good. The wipers are stuck up at the moment. So I can unplug the motor and plug the stalk back in to see if the symptoms persist.
I checked the wiring diagram and there is also some weird stuff on the same fuse: seatbelt sensors and coolant sensor and buzzer. I feel I have two issues, per your comment Jim about lights and wipers not sharing anything.
With stalks unplugged, I was able to put all fuses back in and could not get anything to buzz. I plugged the stalk back in, heard some clicks and a quick buzz I think (I was inside the car). When I plugged it in the RPMs starting revving too...but just on the tach, the car was off.
Jim-your comment about the motor trying to park is good. The wipers are stuck up at the moment. So I can unplug the motor and plug the stalk back in to see if the symptoms persist.
I checked the wiring diagram and there is also some weird stuff on the same fuse: seatbelt sensors and coolant sensor and buzzer. I feel I have two issues, per your comment Jim about lights and wipers not sharing anything.
Well, I apologize for being an idiot. sincerely. i had seen that big bundle of wires that seemed odd, but I saw another picture on the internet that looked same so assumed (damn!!) It was supposed to be. I did a few tests, then grounded all of them. Woulntyou know it. Everything works. In an effort to not make this a useless post, can someone post what this termination is SUPPOSED to look like?
Thank you all, as I still learned a lot. Sorry it was a waste!
Thank you all, as I still learned a lot. Sorry it was a waste!
Attachments
That lifted me up; thanks! The only remaining light issue is blinkers stop when i press the break. I saw a couple other posts that i will try. I ran short a couple bulbs on my full bulb replacement and i can triple check the ground and wiring back there.It's only stupid when you pay someone else. Until then it's an experiment.
Then, i need to asses heating system with hot air always coming out of outer and cold air from inner. Im thinking vac lines. Also, the heating control lighting is one of the last two interior lighting issues, the other being the door switches i believe.
Thanks again to everyone on this post!
1 - 20 of 39 Posts
