'88Q - instrument cluster lights _and_ headlights/hi beams out and...

[Tess McMillan]

I've been following the '86 5KTQ thread with interest because I've had a
similar problem that I haven't been able to solve.

In my case the issue started not too long after my coolant temperature
light started blinking, so I don't know if that has ANYthing to do with
this. My engine temp is OK, I've had the thermostat replaced (twice)
the past couple years, and we've done other things to the coolant system
since I had a leak that turned out to be due to the age of the coolant
reservoir. But still the dash light keeps on blinking. There is a
temperature sensor in the engine compartment that you can pull out and
still the light blinks. For a couple weeks I would poke through
the Bentley trying to find if there is a relay somewhere, but I couldn't
make heads nor tails of the wiring diagrams. About that time...

I noticed that my headlights were out. Lo and behold, the rest of my
cluster lights are out (except the blinking temperature light). My fogs
work, as do my taillights and blinkers/emergency flashers, but no high
beams. I've checked every fuse in the fuse box and they are all fine. My
license plate and trunk lights seem to be OK.

Could these two issues be related? Or is this likely an issue with the
assemby that lives in the steering wheel stalk?

Thanks,

Tess
in Bellevue, WA USA