Electrical prob

[struculeus]

OK, this is a little puzzling -

I've owned many Subs, all of the GLs / Loyales. I love them, and thought I knew quite a bit about them and cars in general. That being said...

My mom drives a 92 Loyale 4dr. She said she was driving along, when suddenly the Charge light, Brake Fluid light, and Parking Break lights come on the dash. She continues to drive, and as she's driving home at night the next day, both headlights burn out, and the turn signals burn out at the same time. But the high beams work, just not the low beam. The car still starts and runs, too.

My question is, do you guys think these problems are related? If so, what are the possibilities. All this information is what she told me over the phone.

My initial thought, is that a diode fried on the alternator, and it cooked a few things. But how many, and what?

She lives a couple hours away, so I can't check it out right away, and I would like to score the right parts before I head out her way. I'm leaving for the weekend, so I won't be able to make it there until Monday. I told her not to drive it in the meantime. She doesn't have a job, so I'll be buying the parts for her, and I didn't want her to cause any more damage in the meantime!

Thanks in advance for all the advice and expertise. You guys always come through!

J

[Subyaddict]

I hate electrical problems. Sounds like a short in the dash. Check the ground wires, and the negative battery terminal.

If you don't have a wiring schematic on that car, get one. Without it you will be searching forever. Any recent mods like stereo equipment or otherwise. I had a wire shorted behind my upper console where the old stock radio used to connect. It shorted out the tail lights, and made the dash go haywire but the motor still ran fine. A friend had a similar problem on his car, so I found the shorted wire in his car too. Both car have no problems now.

We both drive EA81s but the problem is fundamental.

Good luck,

Nathan

[struculeus]

Good idea, although it still has the stock radio. I do have the wiring schematic, and that's a great idea to bring it with me when I head over there.

If there is a short in the dash, I wouldn't even know where to look, because there's nothing aftermarket. Doh....

Me thinks me has me work cutsted out.

 

J

[Caboobaroo]

I don't think its a ground because if the ground for the low beams went out, the highs wouldn't work either because they have a shared ground with each other. Check all of your fuses and also check the alternator for any problem. The dash might be the problem but before you go cutting stuff out, make sure you check everything that could be wrong before you go cuttin away.

[calebz]

This may sound a little weird, but last time my alternator went out, my tail lights immediately followed. Turned out to be the combination switch that runs the headlights/tail lights/turn signals.

 

you have to remove the steering wheel to replace the combo switch.. But checking it out is where I would start

[GeneralDisorder]

First - start the engine, and check the alternator output - the VR could have gone. And don't let her drive it - wireing like that is a fire hazard. I had to save somone from a burning car once - she's very lucky I was there, or she probably wouldn't have a dog anymore (was in the back in a car carrier).

 

GD

[rallyruss]

I agree with general disorder. check the charging system first. on many asian vehicles when the alt. goes kaput it triggers multiple lights to come on on the dash. also could be the reason the lights dont work who knows. if charging system is ok have fun and get a diagram.