When I turn on the headlights (controlled by a stalk on the steering column) the dashboard lights go off. Completely. The radio/CD player lights as well. The rheostat, a little wheel control, is all the way ON. What gives. Can I fix it myself?
Different problem, but maybe a solution for you.
I had a ’93 Pathfinder that the windshield washer stopped working. It was definitely in the switch though, for a while, if you moved it just right, it would work. Dirty contact. You had to pull back on the stick on the just right to activate them.
I did take the steering column cover apart (a lot easier that I thought it would be, about 6 screws), pulled the switch and lever out and blew the guts of the thing out with canned air. Fixed it.
A ’98 Pathfinders steering column is going to be a different animal though. And you are dealing with a different type of switch.
My new ’06 Pathfinder’s analog instrument lights do not come on until you turn on the headlights. The radio and other (LED?) displays actually dim when you turn the lights on. They are supposed to.
Are you sure that the lights for your gages are supposed to come on (other than the radio) when your lights are off? Start the car in the dark, don’t turn on the headlights; and see what you get. Does turning on your headlights turn off the instrument cluster, or does it never come on?
Do other interior lights work? Check all your fuses first. Also, check that gage rehostat again. Put it at half way, start the vehicle in the dark and turn the lights on. The rehostat switch could have been pushed past its limit and is not making contact anymore.
On many cars illumination for the clock, radio, etc. is dimmed when the headlights are turned on, the logic being that you need a bright display for viewing in daylight, while a dim one is quite sufficient at night. So my first guess is that these lights are being shifted to their “nighttime” mode, which I presume is controlled by the dimmer rheostat where the daytime mode is not. Try the rheostat throughout its range, as mentioned. If you’re lucky, it may be as simple as a rheostat that has failed only in its full on position. I won’t even mention the possibility that there’s a mixup about full off vs. full on.
If that’s not it, it’s likely to require a wiring diagram and test light (or voltmeter) to sort it out.
Try googling the usenet/google archives - “98 pathfinder dashlights” or “1998 pathfinder electrical problem” etc. etc., adjusting your search depending on what you find Very often you’ll find someone else has been down that very same road…
Upon further examination, I have no dashboard lights at all. The radio display and the odometer (digital) light up when the headlights are in the OFF position. They turn off when the headklights are in the ON position, as well as when the parking lights are on. Otherewise, nada. Sounds like a problem for the mechanic. Sucks.
Has the car been in an accident?
Do you live where they salt the roads?
No and no.
It really sounds like there is a loose ground wire. I have seen these as a result of poor repair (ground left loose) or as a result of corrosion. I had a rental car once that when you turned on the right turn signal the lights on the radio flashed in time with the trun signal. Turned out the body shop did a really shitty repair near the right tail light. :eek:
Anyway if you want to go hunting for it, you will need a wiring diagram, and lots of time.
If you want to go further let me know. Otherwise it is time for a pro.
I suppose it is off to the mechanics’ then. Thanks for the advice.